Evaluation of the Radiation Oncologists' Awareness and Needs about Geriatric Oncology: TROD-13-001 Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVEThere has not any formal education program covering geriatric oncology within Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TROD) residency programs similar with other countries. Developing geriatric knowledge could provide radiation oncologists to plan RT according to frailty status and geriatric syndromes. Learning specific needs of radiation oncologists (ROs) would allow TROD to arrange the existing education program according to the needs of society. The aim of this study is to determine the geriatric oncology educational needs and awareness of TROD members.METHODSWe used an 18-item survey to collect cross-sectional opinion data from the members of TROD over 2 months. This quantitative survey was developed through discussions with the members of TROD Geriatric Oncology Working Group. Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics and common themes.RESULTSSix hundred TROD members were contacted and 201 responded (34%). The most common age group was the ages of 40-49 years with a rate of 31.8%; this was followed by 23,8% aged <30 year. They stated that geriatric patients constitute 40.9% of their daily practice. It was observed that 62.4% had difficulty in making decisions in geriatric patient group, with whom they had such intense communication in daily clinic practice. More than half (62.4%) of responders had difficulty when managing the geriatric patients; 75% agreed additional geriatric training would be helpful. CONCLUSIONThere are significant deficiencies related to geriatric management of geriatric cancer patients within the TROD members. Most ROs agreed that it is important to integrate geriatric oncology training to improve and personalize the standards of geriatric patients.