Title |
Geriatric oncology in Spain: survey results and analysis of the current situation
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Published in |
Clinical and Translational Oncology, December 2017
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DOI | 10.1007/s12094-017-1813-0 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
R. Gironés, I. Morilla, C. Guillen-Ponce, M. D. Torregrosa, I. Paredero, E. Bustamante, S. del Barco, G. Soler, B. Losada, L. Visa, E. Llabrés, B. Fox, J. L. Firvida, R. Blanco, M. Antonio, F. Aparisi, M. Pi-Figueras, E. Gonzalez-Flores, M. J. Molina-Garrido, J. Saldaña, On behalf of the Spanish Working Group on Geriatric Oncology of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) |
Abstract |
Geriatric oncology (GO) is a discipline that focuses on the management of elderly patients with cancer. The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) created a Working group dedicated to geriatric oncology in February 2016. The main goal of this study was to describe the current situation in Spain regarding the management of elderly cancer patients through an online survey of medical oncologists. A descriptive survey was sent to several hospitals by means of the SEOM website. A personal e-mail was also sent to SEOM members. Between March 2016 and April 2017, 154 answers were collected. Only 74 centers (48%) had a geriatrics department and a mere 21 (14%) medical oncology departments had a person dedicated to GO. The vast majority (n = 135; 88%) had the perception that the number of elderly patients with cancer seen in clinical practice had increased. Eighteen (12%) oncologists had specific protocols and geriatric scales were used at 55 (31%) centers. Almost all (92%) claimed to apply special management practices using specific tools. There was agreement that GO afforded certain potential advantages. Finally, 99% of the oncologists surveyed believed it and that training in GO had to be improved. From the nationwide survey promoted by the Spanish Geriatric Oncology Working Group on behalf of SEOM, we conclude that there is currently no defined care structure for elderly cancer patients. There is an increasing perception of the need for training in GO. This survey reflects a reality in which specific needs are perceived. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Spain | 2 | 40% |
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of | 1 | 20% |
Unknown | 2 | 40% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 4 | 80% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 20% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 36 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Doctoral Student | 6 | 17% |
Other | 5 | 14% |
Researcher | 4 | 11% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 8% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 2 | 6% |
Other | 5 | 14% |
Unknown | 11 | 31% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 18 | 50% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 2 | 6% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 1 | 3% |
Unknown | 15 | 42% |