Preferences and knowledge gaps among pediatric oncologists regarding the care of childhood cancer survivors: A survey of nearly 1,200 physicians

Abstract

6561 Background: Pediatric oncologists' attitudes and knowledge about the long-term follow-up (LTFU) care of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have not been well described. Methods: We surveyed pediatric oncologists' self-reported attitudes and knowledge regarding the LTFU care of CCS. Following a pre-notification letter, surveys with a $5 gift card were mailed to 1,173 U.S. pediatric oncologists in November 2008. A second mailing for non-responders is planned. Results: With surveys still arriving, 536 have been returned (46% response rate). Median age of respondents is 47 years (range: 32–82 years); 56% men; 69% work in a children's hospital; 17% in a cancer center; 3% in a private practice. Respondents have practiced a median 14 years (range: 1–50 years) and see a median of 23 patients/week (range: 0–250 patients/week). 70% of respondents say their center has a LTFU clinic. Choosing from closed-ended responses: 37% say they prefer to follow CCS as long as possible, 21% prefer for the patients to be followed by a physician other than themselves, and 29% are willing to follow them in the absence of a more suitable physician. In describing comfort levels in caring for CCS (1 = very uncomfortable; 7 = very comfortable), respondents were most comfortable with survivors < 21 years (mean 6.2 + 1.4). For CCS >21 but <30 years, respondents were less comfortable (mean 5.0 + 1.5), and were uncomfortable caring for CCS > 30 years (mean 3.3 + 1.7). 84% of respondents report eventually referring CCS to a LTFU program (40%), to a primary care physician (23%) or to an adult oncologist (12%). In a clinical vignette of 29 year old women exposed to mantle radiation and anthracyclines (150 mg/m2) for Hodgkin's lymphoma at 16 years of age: 30% of respondents did not appropriately recommend yearly breast cancer surveillance (based on Children's Oncology Group LTFU guidelines); 41% of respondents did not appropriately recommend cardiac surveillance; and 15% of respondents did not appropriately recommend yearly thyroid screening. Conclusions: Pediatric oncologists express a range of preferences with regard to LTFU of CCS and CCS over 21 years of age. Many appear unfamiliar with LTFU surveillance recommendations. No significant financial relationships to disclose.