Healthcare providers’ perspectives on care coordination for adults with cancer and multiple chronic conditions: a systematic review

Objectives: Inherent treatment complexities for patients with both cancer and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) make these patients likely candidates for shared care between primary care providers (PCPs) and oncologists. However, providers’ views on the optimal model for care coordination between PCPs and oncologists in the context of both cancer and MCC are unclear. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the perceptions of PCPs and oncologists regarding barriers and facilitators to care coordination during the care of patients with cancer and MCC, and their opinions on what is needed to improve current care coordination strategies. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO for articles pertaining to PCPs’ and oncologists’ perspectives, experiences and needs regarding care coordination during the cancer care continuum, in the context of patients with cancer and MCC. Key findings: A total of 22 articles were retained. From qualitative synthesis, three themes emerged regarding PCPs’ and oncologists’ perceived barriers to cancer care coordination: (1) limited findings of physicians’ experiences in MCC care; (2) lack of defined provider roles in cancer care; and (3) lack of comprehensive information sharing, efficient communication methods and clear shared-care plans during care for cancer patients with MCC. Conclusions: Results provide insights into providers’ needs for navigating the complexities of cancer care coordination. Future studies should consider further investigating the needs of patients and multiple provider types for optimizing care coordination throughout the cancer care continuum.