BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians and nurses care for patients with advanced cancer and need to be aware of the role for palliative radiotherapy (PR). METHODS: We surveyed 250 family physicians, family medicine residents, and nurses attending oncology educational symposia to determine their knowledge of PR. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 59%, and most respondents (77%) were involved with the care of cancer patients. Many (58%) thought that their knowledge of PR was insufficient for their needs. Although bone metastasis and spinal cord compression were frequently recognized indications for PR, only 50% of other assessed indications for PR were correctly identified. Almost all respondents stated that they wanted to learn more about PR. CONCLUSIONS: More education regarding PR is required for primary care physicians and nurses caring for cancer patients.
BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians and nurses care for patients with advanced cancer and need to be aware of the role for palliative radiotherapy (PR). METHODS: We surveyed 250 family physicians, family medicine residents, and nurses attending oncology educational symposia to determine their knowledge of PR. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 59%, and most respondents (77%) were involved with the care of cancerpatients. Many (58%) thought that their knowledge of PR was insufficient for their needs. Although bone metastasis and spinal cord compression were frequently recognized indications for PR, only 50% of other assessed indications for PR were correctly identified. Almost all respondents stated that they wanted to learn more about PR. CONCLUSIONS: More education regarding PR is required for primary care physicians and nurses caring for cancerpatients.
Authors: W J Mackillop; P A Groome; J Zhang-Solomons; Y Zhou; D Feldman-Stewart; L Paszat; P Dixon; E J Holowaty; B J Cummings Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 1997-03 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: F Amos Bailey; Kathryn L Burgio; Lesa L Woodby; Beverly R Williams; David T Redden; Stacey H Kovac; Rosie M Durham; Patricia S Goode Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2005 Aug 8-22