Acknowledging the relevance of cognitive changes in cancer patients: Perspectives of oncology practitioners in Asia

Abstract

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested that cognitive impairment can affect cancer patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and daily functioning. This study investigated oncology practitioners' perceptions of the relevance, effects, and causes of such cognitive changes in cancer patients, and their awareness of coping strategies. Methods: Oncology practitioners completed a self-administered cross-sectional survey. Practitioners were recruited from four major cancer centers in Singapore and Thailand, and through a regional cancer meeting that took place in Singapore in September 2011. Results: The sample (n = 193) consisted of nurses (51. 3 %), oncologists (35. 2 %), and pharmacists (13. 5 %). Cognitive changes were frequently observed among cancer patients, particularly in the domains of memory (77. 1 %) and concentration (74. 6 %). The majority (86. 5 %) of respondents agreed that cognitive changes adversely effected patients' HRQoL. The majority (65. 3 %) of the respondents also recognized the need to implement routine neuropsychological assessments in clinical settings. The following factors were perceived as contributing to cognitive changes: aging (77. 6 %), cancer-related fatigue (65. 2 %), and anxiety (61. 2 %). Compared with other healthcare professionals, oncologists were less likely to agree that chemotherapy was a major contributing factor to cognitive changes (25. 0 % vs. 9. 8 %, p = 0. 038). Psychosocial support and the use of complementary alternative medicines (CAM) were identified as coping strategies for cognitive changes. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals do not perceive a uniform set of contributing factors to cognitive impairment among cancer patients, although they all acknowledge that cancer patients' experience of cognitive impairment is a relevant issue. Implications for cancer survivors: It is important to equip clinicians with the knowledge necessary for monitoring and managing the cognitive disturbances and psychological distress experienced by at risk patients in a clinical setting. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.