Fiona L Day1,2, Emma Sherwood3,4, Tina Y Chen5, Margaret Barbouttis5, Megan Varlow5, Jarad Martin2,6, Marianne Weber7,8, Freddy Sitas9,10, Christine Paul4,11. 1. Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, NSW, Australia. 2. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. 3. Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. 4. Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. 5. Cancer Institute NSW, Eveleigh, NSW, Australia. 6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, NSW, Australia. 7. Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia. 8. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 9. Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 10. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of NSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia. 11. Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: Continued smoking in patients diagnosed with cancer affects treatment outcomes and overall survival. With national surveys of Australian medical oncologists (MO) and radiation oncologists (RO) we sought to determine current clinical practices, preferences and barriers in providing patient smoking cessation support. METHODS: Oncologist members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (n = 452) and Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (n = 230) were invited to participate in a multiple choice survey exploring smoking cessation practices and beliefs. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 43%. At first consultations more than 90% of MO and RO regularly asked patients if they smoke or use tobacco products, closely followed by documentation of duration of smoking history and current level of consumption. Less common was asking the patient if they intended to quit (MO 63%, RO 53%) and advising cessation (MO 70%, RO 72%). Less than 50% of oncologists regularly asked about current smoking in follow-up consultations. Although a range of referral options for smoking cessation care were used by oncologists, only 2% of MO and 3% of RO actively managed the patients' smoking cessation themselves and this was the least preferred option. The majority believed they require more training in cessation interventions (67% MO, 57% RO) and cited multiple additional barriers to providing cessation care. CONCLUSIONS: Oncologists strongly prefer smoking cessation interventions to be managed by other health workers. A collaborative approach with other health professionals is needed to aid the provision of comprehensive smoking cessation care tailored to patients with cancer.
AIM: Continued smoking in patients diagnosed with cancer affects treatment outcomes and overall survival. With national surveys of Australian medical oncologists (MO) and radiation oncologists (RO) we sought to determine current clinical practices, preferences and barriers in providing patient smoking cessation support. METHODS: Oncologist members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (n = 452) and Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (n = 230) were invited to participate in a multiple choice survey exploring smoking cessation practices and beliefs. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 43%. At first consultations more than 90% of MO and RO regularly asked patients if they smoke or use tobacco products, closely followed by documentation of duration of smoking history and current level of consumption. Less common was asking the patient if they intended to quit (MO 63%, RO 53%) and advising cessation (MO 70%, RO 72%). Less than 50% of oncologists regularly asked about current smoking in follow-up consultations. Although a range of referral options for smoking cessation care were used by oncologists, only 2% of MO and 3% of RO actively managed the patients' smoking cessation themselves and this was the least preferred option. The majority believed they require more training in cessation interventions (67% MO, 57% RO) and cited multiple additional barriers to providing cessation care. CONCLUSIONS: Oncologists strongly prefer smoking cessation interventions to be managed by other health workers. A collaborative approach with other health professionals is needed to aid the provision of comprehensive smoking cessation care tailored to patients with cancer.
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Authors: Annika Ryan; Alison Luk Young; Jordan Tait; Kristen McCarter; Melissa McEnallay; Fiona Day; James McLennan; Catherine Segan; Gillian Blanchard; Laura Healey; Sandra Avery; Sarah White; Shalini Vinod; Linda Bradford; Christine L Paul Journal: Health Serv Outcomes Res Methodol Date: 2022-09-28