Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Most recent oncology studies support the existence of chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. This study's objective was to evaluate the power of healthcare providers' knowledge. awareness, and perception of memory impairment caused by chemotherapeutic agents, as predictors of their intentions to convey information about this side effect to patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey with 32 questions and seven domains was distributed. The domains included questions about healthcare providers' behaviors, norms, attitudes, awareness, perceptions. and knowledge about chemotherapeutic agent-induced cognitive impairment and their intentions to inform patients about these side effects. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated to analyze associations.
RESULTS: A total of 207 healthcare providers completed the survey. Their mean age was 31 (+/- 7.8) years and most of them were physicians (43.5%). Positive relationships were found between healthcare providers' attitudes (beta=0.239, p<0.001). subjective norms (beta=0.219, p<0.001), behavioral control (beta=0.284, p<0.001), and intentions to provide information to patients. Their awareness was positively associated with their age (beta=0.127, p<0.001). and their (or their relatives') receipt of chemotherapeutic agents (beta=1.363, p=0.04): however, a negative relationship was found with physician specialists (beta=-2.659, p<0.001) and Saudi nationality (beta=-2.919, p<0.001). A negative correlation was found between healthcare givers' perceptions and physician specialists (beta=-1.487, p=0.003), and a positive association with participants' total knowledge (beta=0.765, p<0.001). Univariate linear regression analysis of participants' knowledge showed a negative relationship with Saudi nationality (beta= -0.835, p<0.001) and physician specialists (beta= -0.519, p=0.003).
CONCLUSIONS: Providers' low scores on awareness, perceptions. and knowledge of these side effects of treatment highlight a need for strategic educational programs that meet patients' needs and improve their quality of life.