GP-led melanoma follow-up: views and feelings of patient recipients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the practical experiences and feelings of people with cutaneous malignant melanoma about receiving structured melanoma follow-up from their general practitioner (GP) as an alternative to traditional hospital-based follow-up.

Design: Semi-structured audio-taped telephone interviews were conducted with patient recipients of a GP-led follow-up programme for people with cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Subjects: Eighteen people with cutaneous malignant melanoma that had received structured GP-led routine follow-up for cutaneous malignant melanoma took part in this study.

Results: GP-led melanoma follow-up worked well from the perspectives patients. Patients appreciated convenience of the system, less rushed appointments with more thorough examinations, a more pleasant atmosphere and greater continuity of care. They regarded the GP-led follow-up positively, irrespective of distance from the major cancer centre. Concerns expressed included awareness that most GPs had less experience of melanoma than hospital specialists.

Conclusions: GP-led melanoma follow-up is feasible and is generally viewed positively by those patients that have experienced it.