Perception of Oral Anti-Cancer Treatment
University of Malta
Stephen Camilleri, Lilian M. Azzopardi, Anthony Serracino-Inglott
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida Malta
E-Mail: scam0032@um.edu.mt
Background
Aims
In Malta cancer is the second most common
To evaluate the perception held by patients and
cause of death and the third largest contributor
healthcare professionals of the use of oral anti-
1
to disease burden .
cancer drugs.
Methodology
2,3
Two questionnaires addressed to patients and healthcare professionals respectively were adapted ,
validated and tested for reliability. Subsequently the questionnaires were disseminated to all (46)
healthcare professionals and 50 patients at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital. Data was then analysed using IBM
SPSS version 20.
Results
Reliability of the questionnaires according to the Guttmann Split-half coefficient was 0.90 (Healthcare
Professionals Questionnaire) and 0.92 (Patients Questionnaire) showing excellent reliability. Forty-one
healthcare professionals agree that patients should be offered a consultation with a pharmacist and 34
were concerned about safety of anti-cancer drugs. Thirty-one patients thought that IV treatment causes
more side-effects but is more effective.
30
24
25
20
2
17
6
11
Oral
IV
15
Both
10
None
4
5
31
1
0
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
Figure 1: Healthcare professionals agreement with pharmacist
consultation to patients. (n=46)
Figure 2: Patient perspective on type of
treatment that is most effective (n=50)
Conclusion
Pharmacists would contribute by clearing misconceptions and supporting healthcare professionals and
patients in the choice of anti-cancer drugs.
References
1.World Health Organization [online]. 2010 Feb 13 [cited 2012 Aug 13]; Available from URL:http://www.who.int
2.Weingart SN, Flug J, Brouillard D, Morway L, Partridge A, Bartel S, et al, Oral chemotherapy safety practices at US cancer centres: questionnaire survey. BMJ. 2007 Feb 24;334(7590):407
3.Catania C, Didier F, Leon ME, Sbanotto A, Mariani L, Nolè F, et al, Perception that oral anticancer treatments are less efficacious: development of a questionnaire to assess the possible prejudices of patients
with cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2005 Aug;92(3):265-72