Faculty and house staff attitudes toward cancer status and comparison

This study describes a survey of attitudes toward cancer held by faculty and house staff physicians in a major teaching hospital. The instrument was designed to measure the two groups' (a) responses to declaratory statements about cancer and cancer patient management, (b) anticipated reactions to situations involving cancer, and (c) perceptions of each other relative to cancer-oriented issues. Data obtained from this project indicated significant differences between the perceptions of faculty and house staff members as to their counterpart's approach to cancer. In addition, the study has specific implications for increased attention toward attitudes and interpersonal communication as factors for improved cancer education in medical schools.