title: Patient understanding and impression of hematology/oncology fellows.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hematologists/Oncologists spend years of training in a fellowship program. At academic centers, patients receiving treatment are often seen by fellows. It has not been established what patients understand about fellowship training, therefore the purpose of this study was to explore their understanding and whether they are content with fellows taking part in their care.
  
  
  METHODS
  At West Virginia University/Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, the authors drafted a survey. This anonymous and voluntary survey abstracted basic patient demographic data and experience being cared for by fellows and basic knowledge of a Hematology/Oncology fellowship. Multiple-choice questions were drafted with 4 to 6 answer choices with no option for unknown. Surveys were collected over a 3-week period in July 2012. Patients were surveyed at outpatient appointments, infusion center visits, and laboratory draws.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred twenty-six surveys were collected. Statistical analysis was performed and a binomial regression was fit to the data. There is evidence that higher levels of education are more likely to give correct answers (P = 0.035). Patients who stated that they had not seen a fellow or were unsure whether they had seen a fellow were more likely to select incorrect answers (P = 0.001). There is no statistical significance differentiating between cancer types in likelihood of getting answers correct. Of those surveyed, 1.77% felt that they completely understand the role of a fellow in their care, whereas 80.45% desired further information about fellows. Only 2.2% disliked having a fellow involved in their care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients at academic centers being seen by Hematology/Oncology fellows appear to have a lack of knowledge of a fellow's role and background but have a desire to be educated. Educational initiatives can be introduced to teaching institutions to help patients better understand the role of a fellow.
authors.affiliation: Section of Oncology/Hematology (BC, QT, MA), Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Section of Hematology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; Department of Medicine (RT), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; Section of Radiology, Hillman Cancer Center (AC), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Department of Statistics (MC, YH), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Curley
authors.forename: Roby
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Anjaly
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curley
authors.forename: Quoc
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Culp
authors.forename: Yanqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almubarak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D032882:Comprehension; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006405:Hematology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010819:Physician's Role