title: Physician referral for fertility preservation in oncology patients: a national study of practice behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cancer survival rates are improving, and the focus is moving toward quality survival. Fertility is a key aspect of quality of life for cancer patients of childbearing age. Although cancer treatment may impair fertility, some patients may benefit from referral to a specialist before treatment. However, the majority of studies examining patient recall of discussion and referral for fertility preservation (FP) show that less than half receive this information. This study examined the referral practices of oncologists in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined oncologists' referral practice patterns for FP among US physicians using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile database. A 53-item survey was administered via mail and Internet to a stratified random sample of US physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven percent of respondents routinely refer cancer patients of childbearing age to a reproductive endocrinologist. Referrals were more likely among female physicians (P = .004), those with favorable attitudes (P = .043), and those whose patients routinely ask about FP (odds ratio = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.33).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Less than half of US physicians are following the guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which suggest that all patients of childbearing age should be informed about FP.
authors.affiliation: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. gwen.quinn@moffitt.org
authors.forename: Gwendolyn P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Susan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Vadaparampil
authors.forename: Ji-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.forename: Gerold
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bepler
authors.forename: Johnathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lancaster
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: Terrance L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Albrecht
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents