Pan-Canadian study aims to improve transitions in care

When cancer treatment ends, patients and survivors transition from specialty oncology care back to their family doctor. This transition is often met with questions about what happens next, what changes, and where to go to seek help. That’s why the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is conducting the Experiences of Cancer Patients in Transition study in collaboration with provinces across the country.

The Experiences of Cancer Patients in Transition study aims to improve the quality of cancer care for patients and survivors as they finish their cancer treatment and transition from the cancer care system to the broader health care and support system. Individuals who have been diagnosed and treated for cancer have first-hand experiences of the kinds of supports patients and survivors need.

A sample of cancer patients and survivors who completed their treatment in the past one to three years will be invited to share their experiences of the support and care they received after they completed treatment. Their anonymous responses will help inform recommendations to improve the way care is provided between cancer care and other sectors of the health care system providing follow-up and supportive care. The survey results may also inform future work to ensure that people have seamless experiences transitioning out of the cancer care system after completing treatment, ultimately improving quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

As part of their commitment to improve care at the provincial level and also contribute to improvements that support the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, 10 provinces are participating in this study. Study partners include the BC Cancer Agency, CancerControl Alberta, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, CancerCare Manitoba, Cancer Care Ontario, Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, Institute de la statistique du Québec, New Brunswick Cancer Network, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, Health PEI and Eastern Health Cancer Care Program. The survey is being conducted by Ipsos, a global research firm with extensive experience in the health sector.

If you received an invitation to participate in the survey, please visit www.cancertransitionsurvey.ca to complete the survey online.