Management of worry about recurrence in breast cancer survivors.

Authors

null

Dean Alden Shumway

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI

Dean Alden Shumway, Rebecca Leinberger, Kent A. Griffith, Brian Zikmund-Fisher, Sarah T. Hawley, Reshma Jagsi, Nancy K. Janz

Organizations

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI

Research Funding

No funding sources reported

Background: Worry about recurrence is a significant concern for breast cancer survivors. We explored physicians‘ confidence and practices in identifying and managing worry. Methods: We surveyed a random sample of 1,500 surgeons and medical oncologists drawn from the AMA Masterfile in 2012. Physician responses to questions regarding their confidence were stratified by practice specialty and compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Correlates of use of each strategy for managing worry were modeled using multiple variable logistic regression. Results: 896 physicians (59.7%) responded: 498 surgeons and 398 medical oncologists, of whom 85.5% saw breast cancer patients. 62% reported initiating discussions regarding worry about recurrence. Overall, medical oncologists reported more confidence than surgeons in their ability to present risk information to patients, identify survivors with high levels of worry, and help patients manage their worry (p<0.001). Of note, 40.2% of physicians reported low levels of confidence managing worries surrounding recurrence. Confidence presenting risk information was significantly associated with treatment volume, which was highest with >50 cases/year. Surgeons who routinely followed breast cancer survivors for >3 years reported higher confidence; no such correlation existed among medical oncologists, but >90% of this group routinely followed patients for >3 yrs. Female physicians were significantly more likely to report being able to identify survivors with high levels of worry. Practice in an academic setting demonstrated associations with increased confidence. Use of worry management strategies varied by specialty. Medical oncologists were more likely to prescribe medication, address concerns in detail themselves, or refer to a psychologist or social worker. Longer follow-up was associated with increased likelihood of physicians addressing concerns themselves. Conclusions: A sizeable minority of physicians lack confidence in their ability to identify and manage worry in cancer survivors. Medical oncologists and surgeons differ significantly in their approach to worry management, suggesting that greater attention toward this issue in training and continuing education may be warranted.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2013 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

General Poster Session A: Science of Quality

Track

Science of Quality,Health Reform: Implications for Costs and Quality ,Practice of Quality

Sub Track

Communication, Decision Making, and Behavior

Citation

J Clin Oncol 31, 2013 (suppl 31; abstr 21)

Abstract #

21

Poster Bd #

A16

Abstract Disclosures

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