Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Physicians Regarding Targeted Drug Therapy for Lung Cancer

This study aimed to examine the KAP of physicians regarding targeted drug therapy for lung cancer in China.

This cross-sectional study enrolled physicians working in hospitals in Nanyang. A self-administered questionnaire was developed (Cronbach's α=0.912) to collect the demographic information and KAP.

This study included 191 valid questionnaires. Most participants were male (70.2%) and aged 36-50 (55.5%). The median knowledge score was 29 (24-31) (/36, 80.6%), the mean attitude score was 42 (39-44) (/50, 84.0%), and the mean practice score was 28 (26-29) (/30, 93.3%), indicating sufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practice. The female gender (OR=5.291, 95% CI: 1.426-19.634, P=0.013), working in non-public tertiary hospitals (OR=0.053, 95% CI: 0.008-0.360, P=0.003), and working in medical oncology (OR=10.764, 95% CI: 2.638-43.922, P=0.001) were independently associated with adequate knowledge. Only the knowledge scores (OR=1.121, 95% CI: 1.036-1.212, P=0.004) were independently associated with a positive attitude. Only the attitude scores (OR=1.895, 95% CI: 1.333-2.694, P<0.001) were independently associated with proactive practice.

Physicians working in thoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, or medical oncology displayed sufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and proactive practice toward targeted therapy for lung cancer.