Kearney N, Miller M, Paul J, Smith K, Rice A M
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Ann Oncol. 2003 Jan;14(1):57-61. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdg018.
Despite the known benefits of screening, early detection and advances in treatment modalities, negative attitudes to cancer persist among health care professionals, and cancer remains the most feared disease in modern society. Attitudes to cancer may create a barrier to communication between patients and health care professionals, hinder early detection, treatment and rehabilitation, and may influence decision making about referral to specialist services and the selection of appropriate treatments.
A descriptive survey was conducted, within a Regional Cancer Centre, to evaluate oncology health care professionals' attitudes towards cancer. Attitudes were measured using the Burns' Cancer Belief Scales.
Regardless of gender, profession and clinical experience, all health care professionals displayed persistently negative attitudes towards cancer. No statistically significant difference was detected between gender, profession, clinical experience or specialist education, and although small in number, no major differences were found between group means.
Oncology health care professionals hold negative attitudes towards cancer and changing these attitudes presents a significant challenge. Educational programmes and supportive strategies may alleviate fears and promote a more positive image of cancer. However, such strategies must be based on an understanding of current attitudes towards this phenomenon.
尽管筛查、早期检测有已知的益处，且治疗方式也有进展，但医疗保健专业人员对癌症仍持消极态度，癌症仍是现代社会最令人恐惧的疾病。对癌症的态度可能会成为患者与医疗保健专业人员之间沟通的障碍，阻碍早期检测、治疗和康复，还可能影响转诊至专科服务的决策以及合适治疗方法的选择。
在一个区域癌症中心进行了一项描述性调查，以评估肿瘤医疗保健专业人员对癌症的态度。使用伯恩斯癌症信念量表来衡量态度。
无论性别、职业和临床经验如何，所有医疗保健专业人员对癌症都持续表现出消极态度。在性别、职业、临床经验或专科教育之间未检测到统计学上的显著差异，并且尽管数量较少，但组均值之间未发现重大差异。
肿瘤医疗保健专业人员对癌症持消极态度，改变这些态度是一项重大挑战。教育计划和支持性策略可能会减轻恐惧并促进对癌症更积极的认知。然而，此类策略必须基于对当前对这一现象的态度的理解。
