Involvement and comfort of gynecologic oncologists in the treatment of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with gynecologic malignancies
Recommended Citation
Winer I, Patel D, Dalton V, Johnston C, Quint EH, Zochowski M, Munkarah A, Morris R, and Haefner H. Involvement and comfort of gynecologic oncologists in the treatment of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with gynecologic malignancies. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2017
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2017
Publication Title
International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the provision of care for pediatric and adolescent patients by gynecologic oncologists.
METHODS: The present prospective cross-sectional study enrolled attending physicians and fellows specializing in gynecologic oncology from the USA during December 2012 and January 2013. A 33-question survey collecting demographic data and details of participant opinions on existing practices was distributed to potential respondents. Survey responses were aggregated and descriptive analyses were performed.
RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 1252 physicians and 178 (14.2%) surveys were returned; 105 (59.0%) participants thought that the care of patients aged younger than 21 years should be included in their practice. Only 7 (3.9%) participants had received formal training in caring for pediatric patients and young adults; however, 85 (47.8%) felt this should be incorporated into formal fellowship training. Multidisciplinary teams were reported to be the best method for caring pediatric patients by 160 (88.9%) participants but only 42 (23.6%) participants reported that multidisciplinary teams were involved in pediatric gynecologic oncology care at their institutions.
CONCLUSION: Gynecologic oncologists wanted to be involved in pediatric care and open dialogue between specialists could help in the provision of optimal, longitudinal care to these patients. Furthermore, the incorporation of formal pediatric patient-focused training into gynecologic oncology fellowship programs should be considered.
Medical Subject Headings
Adolescent; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Gynecology; Health Care Surveys; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Interprofessional Relations; Male; Michigan; Middle Aged; Patient Care Team; Prospective Studies; Surgical Oncology; Young Adult
PubMed ID
28485838
Volume
138
Issue
2
First Page
177
Last Page
182
