Training General Practitioners in Oncology: A Needs Assessment Survey From Nepal

Nepal lacks enough cancer care providers to address the growing burden of cancer in the country. One way of addressing this issue is to train general practitioners (GPs) in oncology (GPOs) so that they can task-share and task-shift oncology care. However, limited information is available regarding the current level of oncology expertise of Nepali GPs and whether they perceive a need for, and have an interest in, such a GPO training program if available in Nepal.

A survey was distributed to GPs in Nepal to collect data on current oncology training and clinical practice and evaluate levels of interest and need for a GPO training program. The survey was distributed electronically from February to July 2021.

The survey obtained 71 individual responses from GPs in Nepal. The majority of respondents were male (87%), and most worked as consultants or senior consultants (63%). Only 6% of respondents had a mandatory oncology rotation during their GP training, and only 15% indicated that their GP training had adequately prepared them to care for patients with cancer. Ninety-six percent of respondents perceived a need for a GPO training program in Nepal, with 94% indicating an interest in enrolling in such a program and 71% indicating that they were very interested.

The findings indicate an urgent need for and an encouraging interest in establishing a GPO training program in Nepal. These findings will be used to guide the development and implementation of this type of program.