Knowledge and attitudes of permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia among health care providers.

Abstract

142 Background: Reports of permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (PCIA) are increasing in the field of oncodermatology, but there is a dearth of information regarding how it is recognized and managed by health care providers (HCPs) across different medical specialties. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to HCPs (resident physicians, attending physicians, and nurse practitioners) in the departments of dermatology, oncology, and general internal medicine (GIM) within one Midwestern hospital system. Results: Of the 62 participants (response rate: 13%), there were 19 from dermatology, 20 from oncology, and 23 from GIM. Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and chi-square and ANOVA tests. There was a significant difference in the number of subjects that had heard of PCIA prior to starting the survey (Derm: 79%, Onc: 30%, GIM: 22%, p<0.05). A larger percentage of dermatology and oncology HCPs knew the correct definition of the condition (alopecia persisting >6 months) than GIM (42% and 45% vs. 17%) and significantly more had encountered patients with the condition (47% and 45% vs. 17%). More providers in dermatology and GIM knew how to diagnose PCIA compared to oncology (84% and 83% vs. 70%). Dermatology HCPs were the only participants who had attempted to treat patients with PCIA. Most providers across the three specialties believed that patients would accept PCIA treatment that was topical, oral, injectable, and required frequent administration or monitoring, but not treatment that was expensive or high risk. A majority of HCPs surveyed (94%) agreed that the diagnosis of PCIA is important. However, there was a significant difference in the confidence of HCPs in diagnosing and managing PCIA. A minority of dermatology providers (2/19) specified that they would refer to an alopecia or oncodermatology specialist, while the majority of oncology and GIM providers would refer to dermatology. Conclusions: The results of this survey identify knowledge gaps about PCIA amongst health care providers. Therefore, education and multidisciplinary engagement should be pursued in order to improve awareness, diagnosis, referral, and management of PCIA as part of survivorship care.