Trial Information

A Prospective Study of Telephonic Contact and Subsequent Physical Follow up of Radically Treated Lung Cancer Patients

Patients of cancer, after their primary treatment are subsequently called for follow up
visits to assess the disease status. This has two important implications from the point of
view of resource management. One, patients often have to travel long distances to report to
the hospital and have to take care of other logistics such as their accommodation, local
travel and food. Further often the patient travels with 1-2 attendants which adds to the
logistic burden. Also, these patients of follow up also contribute to the load on existing
hospital services. Many authors have speculated that follow-up visits generate anxiety about
possible disease recurrence. On the other hand, many others have suggested that although
there may be a transient increase in anxiety, patients are ultimately reassured by this
practice. Hence, there is no firm evidence for the practice and the need for follow up in
oncology care.