Shared Care Is an Appropriate Model for Many Cancer Survivors

To the Editor:
We read with interest the article from Halpern et al and wish to comment specifically on the issue of shared care for cancer survivors. The authors claim it is a myth that shared care results in the best outcomes for cancer survivors. Here, a myth is defined as a belief held to be true, despite refuting evidence. However, we dispute the suggestion that shared care has been presented as delivering the best outcomes for survivors or that multiple reports and manuscripts recommend shared care as the preferred model for survivorship care.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Lost in Transition report noted that “several promising models … are emerging, including … a shared-care model in which specialists work collaboratively with primary care providers” (PCP), but also including nurse-led models and specialized survivorship clinics. Similarly, the ASCO statement recommended “a shared-care model for survivorship care that includes communication between the oncology specialist and PCP…” but did not suggest that shared care was “superior” to usual care...