title: Oncologists' use of quality of life information: results of a survey of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group physicians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Objectives of this study were to obtain data from Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) oncologists regarding their views on quality of life (QOL) information; perform psychometric testing on the MD-QOL questionnaire, develop a model to describe oncologists' willingness to use QOL information and propose data-based interventions to facilitate use of QOL information in clinical decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire, MD-QOL, designed to assess physician perspective on QOL information was mailed to a random sample of 500 oncologists, members of ECOG; 271 responded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oncologists' attitude, current behaviour, knowledge of QOL data, and reported willingness to use QOL can be measured using MD-QOL. The attitude, behaviour and willingness scales have high internal consistency. Physician attitude and behaviour account for 59% of the variance in the willingness to use QOL information. Demographic variables influencing physician responses were their primary income source and exposure to trials with a QOL component.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report of ECOG oncologists' views on QOL information suggests a model to describe relationship between physician willingness to use QOL information on the basis of their attitude and behaviour. Data-based interventions are proposed to influence the key variables and thus facilitate the incorporation of QOL data in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of Ontario, Canada. andrea.bezjak@rmp.uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bezjak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skeel
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Depetrillo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Comis
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires