Practice patterns for the prophylaxis and treatment of acute radiation dermatitis in the United States

Purpose Due to the inconclusive evidence for available treatment options, management of radiation dermatitis (RD) varies among practitioners. This study defines and reviews the current treatment patterns for RD in the USA, providing guidance for practicing physicians as well as directions for future...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supportive care in cancer 2017-09, Vol.25 (9), p.2857-2862
Main Authors: Lucey, Patricia, Zouzias, Christos, Franco, Loren, Chennupati, Sravana K., Kalnicki, Shalom, McLellan, Beth N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute Disease
Analysis
Dermatitis
Disease prevention
Drug therapy
Evidence-based medicine
Humans
Male
Medical care quality
Medical practice
Medical schools
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Nurse practitioners
Nursing
Nursing Research
Oncology
Original Article
Pain Medicine
Patient compliance
Physicians
Prophylaxis
Quality of Life - psychology
Radiation (Physics)
Radiation therapy
Radiodermatitis - drug therapy
Registered nurses
Rehabilitation Medicine
Surveys
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
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Summary:Purpose Due to the inconclusive evidence for available treatment options, management of radiation dermatitis (RD) varies among practitioners. This study defines and reviews the current treatment patterns for RD in the USA, providing guidance for practicing physicians as well as directions for future research. Methods An online survey of 21 questions was emailed to all 5626 members of the 2013 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) directory, which included radiation oncologists, residents, fellows, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other care providers. The questions were designed to evaluate demographics of responders, their training and comfort in the management RD, and their patterns of care regarding prophylaxis and treatment of RD. Data was analyzed using simple summary and descriptive statistics. Results Out of the 5626 emails sent, we were left with 709 physician respondents for our analysis, or a response rate of 12.9%. Although 84.7% of physicians felt that RD had a moderate or large impact on patients’ quality of life during cancer treatment, only 30.1% received special training or specific instructional courses in treating RD during their medical training in residency or fellowship. Eighty-nine percent of surveyed physicians rely on observational and/or anecdotal findings to guide treatment decisions, and 51.4% reported using evidence-based treatments. Conclusion The results of our study show that there is great variability in the topical agents and dressings used in practice by radiation oncologists to prevent and treat RD. This information may be useful to other practitioners to develop their own personal recommendations and can guide further research into strategies to prevent and treat radiation dermatitis.
ISSN:0941-4355
1433-7339
DOI:10.1007/s00520-017-3701-0