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. 2023 Aug;17(4):1131-1138.
doi: 10.1007/s11764-022-01163-6. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

Future steps in cardio-oncology-a national multidisciplinary survey among healthcare professionals in the Netherlands

Yvonne Koop  1 , Arco J Teske  2 , Iris Wanders  3 , Hanneke Meijer  4 , J H A M Hans Kaanders  4 , Olivier C Manintveld  5 , H Carlijne Hassing  5 , Hester Vermeulen  6   7 , Angela H E M Maas  3 , Dick-Johan van Spronsen  8 , Femke Atsma  6 , Saloua El Messaoudi  3
Affiliations

Future steps in cardio-oncology-a national multidisciplinary survey among healthcare professionals in the Netherlands

Yvonne Koop et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The awareness of cancer therapy-related adverse cardiac effects is fueled by recent literature on cardiotoxicity incidence and detection strategies. Although this influences the sense of urgency, in current practice, cardiotoxicity monitoring and treatment is not structurally performed. With this study, we aimed to evaluate current perspectives on cardio-oncology and to assess needs, ultimately to determine an agenda for improvements in current practice.

Material and methods: A national multidisciplinary 36-question survey was conducted. The survey was developed by a multidisciplinary team, theoretically based on an implementation checklist and distributed by email, through cardiology and oncology societies as well as social media.

Results: One hundred ninety professionals completed the survey, of which 66 were cardiologists, 66 radiation oncologists, and 58 medical oncologists and hematologists. Many professionals were unaware of their specialisms' cardio-oncology guidelines: 62.1% of cardiologists and 29.3% of the hematologists and medical oncologists respectively. Many cardiologists (N = 46; 69.7%), radiation oncologists (N = 45; 68.2%), and hematologists and medical oncologists (N = 38; 65.5%) expressed that they did not have sufficient knowledge to treat cardio-oncology patients and would either refer a patient or aspire to gain more knowledge on the topic.

Conclusion: The field of cardio-oncology is advancing rapidly, with progress in stratification and detection strategies leading to the development of new guidelines and consensus statements. However, the application of these guidelines in current practice appears to be lagging. Professionals express a need for additional training and a practical guideline including risk stratification, monitoring, and treatment strategies. Multidisciplinary discussion and consensus on cardio-oncology care is vital to improve implementation of cardio-oncology guidelines, ultimately to improve cardiac care for oncology patients.

Keywords: Cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction; Cardio-oncology; Guideline implementation; Healthcare professionals; Quality of care; Survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of the 5-point Likert scale questions
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overview of recommendations to improve cardio-oncology care
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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