Primary care utilization and satisfaction among people with cancer in Sweden: a cross-sectional survey study

Background Primary care services are important to meet the complex needs of people living with or having survived cancer. However, there is a need for improved knowledge about how this patient group use and experience primary care. The aim of this study was to describe the utilization of primary care in people with cancer 1–2 years and 5–6 years after diagnosis, to assess satisfaction with post-diagnosis primary care contacts, and to identify patient and disease characteristics and utilization patterns associated with satisfaction. Methods Data from a cross-sectional digital survey were used to measure primary care utilization and satisfaction among people diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer 1–2 and 5–6 years ago. T-tests and chi2-tests were used to detect differences, and logistic regression to identify associations between satisfaction and patient, disease and caregiver characteristics. Results Almost all participants had been in contact with primary care since being diagnosed with cancer. A majority had been so for cancer-related reasons, even though most had only been in contact for routine matters. Among participants who had completed cancer treatment, few reported that they had been actively handed over to primary care. Around half of the participants reported that their post-diagnosis primary care contacts had been satisfactory, while 8% rated them as dissatisfactory. However, rates of satisfaction differed considerably between subgroups. Satisfaction was positively associated with having a regular physician and with active handovers, and negatively associated with problem-induced cancer-related primary care contacts and with an absence of cancer-related contacts, as well as with number of comorbidities. Overall, differences based on time since diagnosis were small. Conclusions Most people utilize primary care after a cancer diagnosis, including for cancer-related reasons. Many are satisfied with their primary care contacts, but satisfaction varies between sub-groups and is associated with factors related to patients’ health, the nature of contacts, and their relationship to primary care providers. Clinical trial number Not applicable.