Non-oncologist Physician Knowledge of Radiation Therapy at an Urban Community Hospital
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Non-oncologist Physician Knowledge of Radiation Therapy at an Urban Community Hospital Evan Siau 1,2 & Hernando Salazar 2 & Jonathan Livergant 3 & Jonathan Klein 4
# American Association for Cancer Education 2019
Abstract Radiation therapy (RT) is a crucial part of cancer care, but previous work suggests that many non-radiation oncologist physicians are uncomfortable referring for RT. To evaluate training and understanding of RT, the authors sent invitations to complete an online questionnaire to all physicians at a community hospital in Bronx, NY, which asked about oncology training and self-rated and objective knowledge of RT. Out of 247 invited participants, 87 responded (35%). Among responders, 19 were attending physicians (22%) and 66 (76%) were residents. Seventy-two percent of respondents reported caring for > 5 cancer patients in the past month, but 54% reported never referring patients for RT. Sixty-nine percent of respondents stated they received no radiation oncology training in medical school, and 36% reported no general oncology training. Approximately half believed themselves to be Bsomewhat knowledgeable^ about RT indications (48%), benefits (53%), and side effects (55%). Objective assessment mean score was 6.2/12 (median 7) for all respondents; Respondents with internal medicine specialization scored higher than others (mean 7.7 vs 3.5; p < 0.01). Scores did not differ between attending and resident physicians, resident post-graduate levels, or receiving oncology training in medical school. The factors most commonly cited as affecting RT referral decisions were type of cancer, patient wishes, family wishes, poor functional status, and life expectancy. Many physicians are unaware of RT effectiveness or indications, which may affect referral patterns. Previous oncology training was not associated with higher knowledge scores. Keywords Medical education . Graduate medical education . Continuing medical education . Resident education . Radiation oncology
Introduction Radiation therapy (RT) is an integral part of effective cancer care [1–3]. It can be used as a primary curative modality or adjuvant treatment following or preceding surgery. It is also extremely effective as palliative treatment for symptoms such as pain or bleeding caused by incurable cancer [4–6]. Previous presentations: Abstract presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2019 Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL, USA. * Jonathan Klein [email protected] 1
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
2
Department of Medicine, SBH Health System, Bronx, NY, USA
3
Division of Radiation Oncology, University of British Columbia and BC Cancer, Victoria, BC, Canada
4
Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
Optimal outcomes for cancer patients are achieved with a multidisciplinary approach including input from surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists (ROs), and other specialis
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