Quality-of-life information and clinical practice: the oncologist's perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To collect information from a group of Canadian oncologists about their perspectives on quality of life (QOL) and QOL information.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire (MD-QOL) containing 75 items with a 4-point Likert categorical response scale was administered by mail using Dillman survey methodology to all staff oncologists at a single institution.


METHODS
A large Canadian cancer care centre (Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto).


METHODS
Oncologists' knowledge, attitude, current behaviour and intended willingness to use QOL information.


RESULTS
Of 67 eligible respondents 54 replied (80% response rate). In all, 74% felt that QOL can be quantified, and 95% felt that it gives information distinct from performance status measures. A total of 87% felt that published QOL data are useful for individual patient care, but 69% indicated that, at present, they would be more likely to base their recommendations on personal experience rather than on published literature. Of the respondents, 57% felt that decisions were made more difficult when QOL issues are considered.


CONCLUSIONS
The surveyed oncologists support the relevance and importance of QOL information. Data from this study were used to develop a predictive model to assess oncologists' willingness to use QOL information; the model is being tested in other studies.
Bezjak
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A
Department of Radiation Oncology, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto. andrea_bezjak@pmh.toronto.on.ca
Taylor
K M
KM
Ng
P
P
Macdonald
K
K
DePetrillo
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires