What are the attitudes and beliefs of oncologists regarding potential cancer rehabilitation in a tertiary cancer center?

Cancer Rehabilitation (CR) is an emerging field in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Current literature highlights the effectiveness of cancer rehabilitation in improving functional outcomes, shorter length of hospital stay, and improved quality of life. Despite this, there are very few formalized CR programs across all of North America. We conducted a survey at a tertiary cancer center without a formalized CR program to assess the perceived need of such a program and its potential development. This survey of medical, surgical, radiation and pediatric oncologists demonstrated that 92.3% of 39 respondents felt CR was somewhat to very important, particularly for their patients' issues of fatigue, deconditioning, pain management and disposition planning. These findings highlight the value seen by oncologists in the need for further cancer rehabilitation access and formalized program development in order to meet patient needs for improving functional deficits, activities of daily living and quality of life.