title: Oncologists' use of patient educational materials about cancer and fertility preservation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study sought to determine the prevalence of distribution of fertility preservation (FP) materials, source of the materials, and providers' perceived relevance of the materials among a sample of US oncologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 53-item survey was administered via mail and the Web to a stratified sample of oncologists from the American Medical Association Masterfile. This study represents a subset of results, reporting on three survey items.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 511 oncologists (32% response rate), only 13.5% (n = 69) reported 'always or often' giving their patients educational materials about FP. Among those who reported ever distributing materials, 39.5% used American Cancer Society materials, 11.0% used Fertile Hope, 6.4% used Lance Armstrong Foundation, and 11.8% used 'other'. Among those who provided materials, only 27.4% believe the FP materials they provide are 'relevant to patient's specific cancer diagnosis'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is need to improve oncologists' distribution of FP educational materials to patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncologic Science, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Gwendolyn P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Susan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Vadaparampil
authors.forename: Teri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reinecke
authors.forename: Bethanne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: Terrance
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Marla L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*