PURPOSE The role of general practitioners in cancer care has expanded in recent years. However, little is known about utilization of primary health care (PHC) services by patients with cancer, particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged groups. We describe utilization of PHC services by patients with cancer, and the nature of the care provided. The study focuses on a disadvantaged group in Australia, namely Indigenous Australians. METHODS A retrospective audit of clinical records in ten PHC services in Queensland, Australia. Demographic and clinical data of Indigenous Australians diagnosed with cancer during 2010-2016 were abstracted from patient's medical records at the PHC services. The rates of cancer-related visits were calculated using person years at risk as a denominator. RESULTS A total of 138 patients' records were audited. During 12 months following the cancer diagnosis, patients visited the PHC service on average 5.95 times per year. Frequency of visits were relatively high in remote areas and among socioeconomic disadvantaged patients (IRR = 1.87, 95%CI 1.61-2.17; IRR = 1.79, 95%CI 1.45-2.21, respectively). Over 80% of visits were for seeking attention for symptoms, wound care, and emotional or social support. Patients who did not undergo surgery, had greater comorbidity, received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and male gender had significantly greater rate of visits than their counterparts. CONCLUSION The frequency of utilization of PHC services, especially by patients with comorbidities, and the range of reasons for attendance highlights the important role of PHC services in providing cancer care. The reliance on PHC services, particularly by patients in remote and disadvantaged communities, has important implications for appropriate resourcing and support for services in these locations.

中文翻译：

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被诊断患有癌症的澳大利亚原住民的初级卫生保健服务使用模式。

目的 近年来，全科医生在癌症治疗中的作用不断扩大。然而，人们对癌症患者，尤其是社会经济弱势群体对初级卫生保健 (PHC) 服务的利用知之甚少。我们描述了癌症患者对 PHC 服务的利用情况，以及所提供护理的性质。该研究侧重于澳大利亚的一个弱势群体，即澳大利亚原住民。方法 对澳大利亚昆士兰州 10 家 PHC 服务机构的临床记录进行回顾性审核。2010-2016 年被诊断患有癌症的澳大利亚原住民的人口统计和临床数据是从 PHC 服务的患者医疗记录中提取的。癌症相关就诊率是使用风险人年作为分母计算的。结果 共 138 例患者 记录被审计。在癌症诊断后的 12 个月内，患者平均每年访问 PHC 服务 5.95 次。偏远地区和社会经济弱势患者的就诊频率相对较高（IRR = 1.87，95%CI 1.61-2.17；IRR = 1.79，95%CI 1.45-2.21）。超过 80% 的就诊是为了寻求对症状、伤口护理以及情感或社会支持的关注。未接受手术、合并症较多、接受化疗和/或放疗的患者以及男性的就诊率显着高于同行。结论 使用 PHC 服务的频率，尤其是患有合并症的患者，以及就诊原因的范围突出了 PHC 服务在提供癌症护理中的重要作用。对 PHC 服务的依赖，