Cancer Survivorship Care in Bavaria: General Practitioners' Perspectives and a Regional Capacity Analysis.

BACKGROUND

The rising number of cancer survivors in Germany increases the need for long-term, coordinated cross-sectoral care. General practitioners (GPs) play a key role, yet evidence on regional structures and GPs' perspectives is limited. This study examines cancer survivorship care in Bavaria by combining a regional capacity analysis with a statewide GP survey.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study was conducted in Bavaria, combining a regional structural analysis of physician availability and projected survivorship care demand with a statewide anonymous quantitative online GP survey on care experiences, collaboration, digital tools, training needs, vaccination practices, and reimbursement.

RESULTS

In 2024, 9553 Bavarian GPs cared for approximately 380000 cancer survivors, with 17% living in areas of GP undersupply. Northern and Eastern Bavaria showed particularly high patient loads and projected shortages. Among 574 surveyed GPs, 72.7% perceived survivorship care as challenging. Key barriers included insufficient cross-sectoral collaboration (76.9%), limited knowledge of co-treating colleagues' activities (72.6%), incomplete treatment information (31.7%), and inadequate reimbursement (95.2%). While most GPs (71.5%) considered the electronic patient record (ePA) promising, only 56.9% used KIM at least occasionally. 73.1% expressed interest in dedicated training and guidance, particularly regarding vaccination responsibilities and timing (64.1%).

CONCLUSION

GPs in Bavaria face increasing structural and organizational challenges due to rising survivor numbers and regional workforce shortages. Improved information exchange, strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration, consistent digital communication, targeted GP training, and continuous regional monitoring, are essential to ensure sustainable, high-quality survivorship care across Germany.