Integrating primary care and the cancer system: Program evaluation of the UPCON Network in Manitoba, Canada

6605 Background: Cancer care facilities have generally been poorly integrated with primary care. CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) created the UPCON (Uniting Primary Care and ONcology) Network to address this problem through partnerships with 13 primary care clinics in Winnipeg MB. A “Lead Family Physician (FP)” from each clinic was provided with focused CME and identified as a cancer resource to their colleagues. Each clinic was given access to the provincial electronic medical record for cancer patients and educational outreach undertaken with all clinic staff. Surveys were performed to assess the impact of UPCON on the perceptions of FPs of their working relationship with CCMB. Methods: The survey was adapted from other instruments, piloted and administered at baseline in 2004, and in 2005 and 2007 to 83 FPs in UPCON clinics and 228 other randomly selected FPs not involved in UPCON. A modified Dillman method was used and REB approval obtained. Results: Response rates were 44% in 2004, 32% in 2005 and 37% in 2...