[Effectiveness of a supportive care form for family physicians]

To assess the effectiveness of a standardized form in altering family physicians knowledge regarding supportive care delivered to their patients. We conducted an uncontrolled before and after study involving 42 cancer patients who were provided with supportive care at hospital. During the intervention study period, a standardized form was sent to their family physician within 1 week of discharge. The use of the standardized form was associated with an increase in the percentages of correct answers regarding consultations with psychologists (95% versus 19%, P < 0.001), social workers (95% versus 14%, P < 0.001), nutritionists (86% versus 9%, P < 0.001), and palliative care physicians (90% versus 52 %, P = 0.006). Yet, the percentages of correct answers regarding discharge arrangements did not differ between the two study groups. The use of a standardized form improves family physician information regarding supportive care delivered to their patients during hospital course but does not alter information on discharge arrangements and follow-up.