Cancer Survivorship Care in Bavaria: General Practitioners' Perspectives and a Regional Capacity Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The rising number of cancer survivors in Germany increases the need for long-term, coordinated cross-sectoral care. General practitioners (GPs) play a key role, yet evidence on regional structures and GPs' perspectives is limited. This study examines cancer survivorship care in Bavaria by combining a regional capacity analysis with a statewide GP survey. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted in Bavaria, combining a regional structural analysis of physician availability and projected survivorship care demand with a statewide anonymous quantitative online GP survey on care experiences, collaboration, digital tools, training needs, vaccination practices, and reimbursement. RESULTS: In 2024, 9553 Bavarian GPs cared for approximately 380000 cancer survivors, with 17% living in areas of GP undersupply. Northern and Eastern Bavaria showed particularly high patient loads and projected shortages. Among 574 surveyed GPs, 72.7% perceived survivorship care as challenging. Key barriers included insufficient cross-sectoral collaboration (76.9%), limited knowledge of co-treating colleagues' activities (72.6%), incomplete treatment information (31.7%), and inadequate reimbursement (95.2%). While most GPs (71.5%) considered the electronic patient record (ePA) promising, only 56.9% used KIM at least occasionally. 73.1% expressed interest in dedicated training and guidance, particularly regarding vaccination responsibilities and timing (64.1%). CONCLUSION: GPs in Bavaria face increasing structural and organizational challenges due to rising survivor numbers and regional workforce shortages. Improved information exchange, strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration, consistent digital communication, targeted GP training, and continuous regional monitoring, are essential to ensure sustainable, high-quality survivorship care across Germany.