Role of the general practitioner

The general practitioner is often the first responder confronted with the symptoms of a brain tumor. The symptoms will often be rather vague and can also be related to other conditions. Therefore, it's important to contact your GP again if your symptoms persist or change so they can monitor their progress and, if they suspect something's not right, prompt further investigation.

In case of abnormal results, this person can communicate and refer to a reference hospital.

The GP is a family doctor and will be able to guide both the patient and the family members in this new situation.

The general practitioner can participate in the multidisciplinary consultation, discuss (or re-discuss) the information with the patient, and guide the patient through the care pathway. Remember that for most of the treatment period and the period afterward, the patient will be at home and therefore may not always have easy access to the hospital. Some problems can be resolved perfectly well at home. Therefore, it's certainly not necessary to visit the hospital for every complaint.

The GP should have good communication with the doctors on the hospital team for consultation and joint decision-making.

It is important that hospital doctors provide good information to the general practitioner by letter so that he or she remains well informed of all decisions and vice versa. The general practitioner must then communicate changes in policy or certain observations well to the specialist physicians.

The general practitioner plays a special role in palliative care, along with nurses and the palliative care support team. Euthanasia issues are also part of the general practitioner's responsibilities.

It is therefore extremely important that the GP remains involved throughout the entire process.