Takefumi Komiya1,2, Christine B Mackay3, Prabhakar Chalise4. 1. Division of Medical Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Fairway, KS, USA. tkomiya@kumc.edu. 2. University of Kansas Cancer Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, MS 6004, Fairway, KS, 66205, USA. tkomiya@kumc.edu. 3. University of Kansas Cancer Center, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, MS 6004, Fairway, KS, 66205, USA. 4. Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the United States, medical oncologists play a central role in the management of systemic therapy for cancer patients. Medical oncology as a specialty is not as established in Japan and several other European nations according to recent surveys, and little is known about this specialty in developing nations. We aimed to identify global differences in the roles of physicians treating cancer; specifically, how the management of advanced disease differs among nations. METHODS: In March 2016, a self-administered internet survey was conducted with degreed physicians who prescribed systemic agents for adult cancer treatment within the past 5 years. Physicians were identified from the American Society of Clinical Oncology active member online directory. RESULTS: Among 3907 members in 55 nations, 376 (9.6%) responded to the survey. The 310 respondents who provided an answer to the recognition of medical oncology were dominated by male MDs that have practiced for more than 5 years at academic centers, and ~60% were medical oncologists. A majority of the respondents in all four regions reported that medical oncology was established in their corresponding nations. However, there are several outlying nations where oncologic specialties play a minimal role in the management of systemic therapy. CONCLUSION: Despite general recognition of medical oncology, the role is not globally established as the primary point of care for delivery of systemic therapy. Nations lacking this specialty should be assisted by the international community to develop medical oncology.
BACKGROUND: In the United States, medical oncologists play a central role in the management of systemic therapy for cancerpatients. Medical oncology as a specialty is not as established in Japan and several other European nations according to recent surveys, and little is known about this specialty in developing nations. We aimed to identify global differences in the roles of physicians treating cancer; specifically, how the management of advanced disease differs among nations. METHODS: In March 2016, a self-administered internet survey was conducted with degreed physicians who prescribed systemic agents for adult cancer treatment within the past 5 years. Physicians were identified from the American Society of Clinical Oncology active member online directory. RESULTS: Among 3907 members in 55 nations, 376 (9.6%) responded to the survey. The 310 respondents who provided an answer to the recognition of medical oncology were dominated by male MDs that have practiced for more than 5 years at academic centers, and ~60% were medical oncologists. A majority of the respondents in all four regions reported that medical oncology was established in their corresponding nations. However, there are several outlying nations where oncologic specialties play a minimal role in the management of systemic therapy. CONCLUSION: Despite general recognition of medical oncology, the role is not globally established as the primary point of care for delivery of systemic therapy. Nations lacking this specialty should be assisted by the international community to develop medical oncology.
Entities:
Keywords:
Global survey; Medical oncology; Oncologic specialists
Authors: R A Popescu; R Schäfer; R Califano; R Eckert; R Coleman; J-Y Douillard; A Cervantes; P G Casali; C Sessa; E Van Cutsem; E de Vries; N Pavlidis; K Fumasoli; B Wörmann; H Samonigg; S Cascinu; J J Cruz Hernández; A J Howard; F Ciardiello; R A Stahel; M Piccart Journal: Ann Oncol Date: 2013-12-13 Impact factor: 32.976
Authors: Nagi S El Saghir; Raghid N Charara; Firas Y Kreidieh; Vanessa Eaton; Kate Litvin; Rania A Farhat; Katia E Khoury; Juliana Breidy; Hani Tamim; Toufic A Eid Journal: J Glob Oncol Date: 2015-10-28