Table 4 Themes and sub-themes from focus groups
From: Experience of primary dental care teams in managing the oral health of oncology patients
Theme | Sub-themes |
|---|---|
Mix of patients with different cancers seen | Most common cancers seen |
Head and Neck seen rarely in GDS | |
PDS cohort | |
Paediatrics seldom seen in primary care | |
Dental teams working in primary care are clear in their roles | Managing and maintaining oral health |
Dental input through cancer journey | |
Willingness to see these patients | |
Pastoral | |
Signposting | |
Mixed healthcare messages | Oral health |
When to visit dentist | |
Communication between dental and medical teams | Variation in effectiveness of communication |
Integration | |
Social Attitudes | |
Patient experience | Physical |
Mental | |
Patient engagement with their healthcare | Poor attitudes to oral health |
Lack of knowledge about their cancer management | |
Proactive patients | |
Treatment planning challenges | Chaotic |
Managing expectations | |
Pre-existing oral health | |
Different cancer treatments/difference between oral and other cancers | |
Prevention advice | |
Apprehension from dental teams | Fear |
Knowledge | |
Complexity | |
Wider system factors influence management in primary care | Organisational secondary care |
Payment system | |
Referral pathways | |
Access to general dental practitioners | |
Support | Guidance |
Patient information and other accompanying resources | |
Suggestions for topics to include | |
Supportive colleagues |