Survey of physicians on dealing with the topic "Tobacco consumption in patients with lung cancer"

Abstract

About 40 % of the patients are active smokers when diagnosed lung cancer. Half of these patients is the nicotine consumption continues despite the existence of cancer. The overall mortality in these patients is a factor of 3 higher. In addition, the quality of life increases and symptoms such as cough and dyspnoea are reduced. How do the treating physicians deal with the tobacco consumption of their patients with lung carcinoma? A total of 14 physicians from the Bonn University Hospital were interviewed from the departments of pneumology, oncology and thoracic surgery involved in the treatment of the lung carcinoma. The interviews were transcribed and analysed according to the qualitative content analysis Mayring with MAXQDA® 12. The doctors handled the nicotine consumption of their patients very individually. In doing so, the doctors were primarily oriented on the possible life expectancy of the patients. In a curative treatment approach, the doctors presumed a smoking stop in their patients for successful treatment. In the context of a palliative treatment, many doctors no longer wanted the burden of smoking cessation to their patients. Came the desire for a cessation therapy in patients were referred generally to colleagues who were trained in smoking cessation. Obstacles to the independent execution of a smoking cessation were in particular lack of knowledge and short treatment times or high number of patients, especially during the consultation hours. The doctors were quite convinced of the benefit of a smoking stop in the treatment of the lung carcinoma. Lung cancer patients would benefit if smoking cessation would be even more integrated into the overall therapy. For that one could rely on already established cessation programs and concepts for clinics.