A GP is not only a support for the person with a brain tumour, but can also provide valuable assistance for you as the carer.
Keep in touch with your GP, because they can:
- Support you in your own personal health concerns
- Keep an eye on your stress levels
- Assess and treat any anxiety or depression
They also have a role in your ongoing preventative healthcare such as:
- Vaccinations
- Pap smears or organising mammograms
- Prostate checks
- Monitoring your physical health
- Treating any ongoing medical issues
For your friend or family member with a diagnosis of HGG
Even though it may feel like hospital specialists have the best understanding of what is going on, the GP also remains an important member of the health care team.
Important areas where your friend or relative can rely on the GP include:
•Ongoing care of other medical conditions which are not related to the brain tumour
•Emotional support and diagnosis and treatment of anxiety or depression.
•Referrals to local allied health services, such as a psychologist, physiotherapist, or dietitian. If such referrals are from a GP under a Chronic Disease Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement, you may be able to claim a Medicare rebate.
•Organising a Domiciliary Medication Management Review (together with a pharmacist). See this link for more information on Domiciliary Medication Management Review
If the person you are caring for has children, their GP can also be good in supporting the children of the person to access services, such as counselling, as they may have better rapport.
Some questions you may want to ask about your health care team are:
- Who is in charge of my care?
- What other services are available for me? If I need to access other services, do I need a referral?
- Who should I contact if I have questions about my treatment?
- Diagnosis and treatment of problems which may be related to tumour or treatment, but do not involve decisions about the anti-cancer treatment. For example related to:
- Insomnia (sleep problems)
- Thrush in the mouth or vaginal thrush
- Cold sores
- Shingles
- Chest infection
- Nausea
- Problems with weight loss or weight gain
- Pain relief
- The GP can also prescribe ongoing supportive care medications, including “authority prescriptions” that require a phone call to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). For example:
- Pain medications
- Anticonvulsants
- Nausea medications
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners, e.g. Clexane or Fragmin)
- Some GPs will also take a major role in end of life care at home.
The hospital team should keep the GP of the person you are caring for up to date with letters. Ask for letters to be sent if you feel the GP has not been kept well informed.