How well do medical oncologists perceptions reflect their patients reported physical and psychosocial problems?
GROUND Modern cancer treatments can cure or prolong patients’ lives. However, the associated physical and psychosocial problems can detrimentally affect patients’ compliance with treatment and, ultimately, their outcomes. Therefore, oncologists need to recognize the problems experienced by their patients and, when possible, help resolve these problems. METHODS The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and perceived needs among 204 consenting patients visiting an outpatient medical oncology department. Immediately following consultations with consenting patients, medical oncologists and registrars also completed a survey in which they indicated their perception of each patient’s level of each problem. These two data sets were then compared. RESULTS Five oncologists’ perceptions of patients’ levels of the major physical symptoms cited in the survey (fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss) demonstrated the highest levels of awareness, with
