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Survivorship Care Plans: Prevalence and Barriers to Use

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Abstract

Survivorship care plans (SCPs) are intended to educate survivors and providers about survivors’ transition from cancer treatment to follow-up care. Using a survey of 23 cancer programs in the South Atlantic United States, we (1) describe the prevalence and barriers to SCP use and (2) assess relationships between SCP use and (a) barriers and (b) cancer program characteristics. Most cancer programs (86 %) reported some SCP use; however, less than a quarter of cancer programs’ providers had ever used an SCP. The majority (61 %) began using SCPs because of professional societies’ recommendations. Key barriers to SCP use were insufficient organizational resources (75 %) and systems for SCP use. We found patterns in SCP use across location, program type, and professional society membership. Most cancer programs have adopted SCPs, but use remains inconsistent. Efforts to promote SCP use should address barriers, particularly in cancer programs that are susceptible to barriers to SCP use.

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Acknowledgments

Sarah Birken and Deborah Mayer received financial support from the National Cancer Institute (grant number 5 R25 CA57726) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (grant number 5U48DP001944-02), respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1107A McGavran-Greenberg Hall, #7411, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7411, USA

    Sarah A. Birken

  2. School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carrington Hall, #7460, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7460, USA

    Deborah K. Mayer

  3. Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1102C McGavran-Greenberg Hall, #7411, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7411, USA

    Bryan J. Weiner

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  1. Sarah A. Birken
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  2. Deborah K. Mayer
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  3. Bryan J. Weiner
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Correspondence to Sarah A. Birken.

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Birken, S.A., Mayer, D.K. & Weiner, B.J. Survivorship Care Plans: Prevalence and Barriers to Use. J Canc Educ 28, 290–296 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0469-x

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