General practitioners' attitudes to randomised clinical trials for women with breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine general practitioners' attitudes to randomised clinical trials for women with breast cancer.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey with structured face-to-face interviews conducted between December 1997 and May 1998.


METHODS
A random sample of GPs in central Sydney.


METHODS
GPs' attitudes to referring women with breast cancer to specialists who enrol patients in randomised clinical trials, and to randomised clinical trials in general.


RESULTS
85 of 158 GPs (54%) consented to be interviewed. Of these 85 GPs, 47% stated that they would refer a woman with breast cancer to a specialist who was likely to enrol the woman in a clinical trial; 50% believed that clinical trials increase knowledge about treatment options; and 15% thought that randomised trials may make a valuable scientific contribution. However, 43% of GPs expressed concerns that their patients may be disadvantaged, 39% said that they wanted optimum treatment for their patients, 18% that they would want to know what the trial was about, and 12% were worried about ethical considerations.


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the GPs in this survey have concerns about randomised clinical trials for women with breast cancer. Improved communication between specialists and GPs about the conduct of and treatments offered in clinical trials for breast cancer may change this attitude.
Ellis
P M
PM
Medical Psychology Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW. pellis@mail.usyd.edu.au
Hobbs
M K
MK
Rikard-Bell
G C
GC
Ward
J E
JE
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires