Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Physicians Regarding Targeted Drug Therapy for Lung Cancer

Di Nie,1,2,&ast; Haozhi Ma,1,2,&ast; Guosheng Huang,1 Tianzeng Zhao,1 Wenxian Li1 1Thoracic Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College, Nanyang, People’s Republic of China; 2Graduate Division Department, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Chian&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wenxian Li, Thoracic Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College, Nanyang, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-15565269994, Email 838525809@qq.comPurpose: This study aimed to examine the KAP of physicians regarding targeted drug therapy for lung cancer in China.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled physicians working in hospitals in Nanyang. A self-administered questionnaire was developed (Cronbach’s α=0.912) to collect the demographic information and KAP.Results: This study included 191 valid questionnaires. Most participants were male (70.2%) and aged 36– 50 (55.5%). The median knowledge score was 29 (24– 31) (/36, 80.6%), the mean attitude score was 42 (39– 44) (/50, 84.0%), and the mean practice score was 28 (26– 29) (/30, 93.3%), indicating sufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practice. The female gender (OR=5.291, 95% CI: 1.426– 19.634, P=0.013), working in non-public tertiary hospitals (OR=0.053, 95% CI: 0.008– 0.360, P=0.003), and working in medical oncology (OR=10.764, 95% CI: 2.638– 43.922, P=0.001) were independently associated with adequate knowledge. Only the knowledge scores (OR=1.121, 95% CI: 1.036– 1.212, P=0.004) were independently associated with a positive attitude. Only the attitude scores (OR=1.895, 95% CI: 1.333– 2.694, P< 0.001) were independently associated with proactive practice.Conclusion: Physicians working in thoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, or medical oncology displayed sufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and proactive practice toward targeted therapy for lung cancer.Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practice, lung cancer, targeted therapy, physician