Brief Report

Oncologists' use of patient educational materials about cancer and fertility preservation

  1. Gwendolyn P. Quinn1,2,*,
  2. Susan T. Vadaparampil1,2,
  3. Teri Malo2,
  4. Joyce Reinecke3,
  5. Bethanne Bower2,
  6. Terrance Albrecht4,
  7. Marla L Clayman5

Article first published online: 14 JUL 2011

DOI: 10.1002/pon.2022

Additional Information

How to Cite

Quinn, G. P., Vadaparampil, S. T., Malo, T., Reinecke, J., Bower, B., Albrecht, T. and Clayman, M. L. (2011), Oncologists' use of patient educational materials about cancer and fertility preservation. Psycho-Oncology. doi: 10.1002/pon.2022

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Oncologic Science, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

  2. 2

    Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA

  3. 3

    LiveStrong, Austin, TX, USA

  4. 4

    Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

  5. 5

    Division of General Internal Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

*12902 Magnolia Drive, MRC CANCONT, Tampa, FL, USA, 33612. E-mail: gwen.quinn@moffitt.org

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 14 JUL 2011
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 2 JUN 2011
  3. Manuscript Received: 6 MAY 2011

Funded by

  • American Cancer Society. Grant Number: RSGPB07-019-01-CPPB

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Keywords:

  • educational materials;
  • fertility preservation;
  • oncologists;
  • cancer;
  • communication

Abstract

Background

This study sought to determine the prevalence of distribution of fertility preservation (FP) materials, source of the materials, and providers' perceived relevance of the materials among a sample of US oncologists.

Methods

A 53-item survey was administered via mail and the Web to a stratified sample of oncologists from the American Medical Association Masterfile. This study represents a subset of results, reporting on three survey items.

Results

Among the 511 oncologists (32% response rate), only 13.5% (n = 69) reported ‘always or often’ giving their patients educational materials about FP. Among those who reported ever distributing materials, 39.5% used American Cancer Society materials, 11.0% used Fertile Hope, 6.4% used Lance Armstrong Foundation, and 11.8% used ‘other’. Among those who provided materials, only 27.4% believe the FP materials they provide are ‘relevant to patient's specific cancer diagnosis’.

Conclusion

There is need to improve oncologists' distribution of FP educational materials to patients with cancer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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