Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of physicians and pharmacists regarding the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer treatment

Abstract

This study aimed to explore physicians’ and pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer treatment. A multicenter cross-sectional study included physicians and pharmacists between April 2023 and June 2023. The study included 918 participants (514 physicians and 404 pharmacists). The average scores of knowledge, attitudes, and practice were 11.6 ± 3.39, 24.7 ± 2.6, and 26.3 ± 6.8 points. Sufficient knowledge was significantly associated with age ≥ 41 years (odds ratio (OR) = 2.745, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.086–6.941, P = 0.033), male (OR = 2.745, 95% CI 1.150–2.223, P = 0.005), bachelor’s degree (OR = 0.084, 95% CI 0.013–0.533, P = 0.009), master’s degree and above (OR = 0.096, 95% CI 0.015–0.609, P = 0.013), physician occupation (OR = 7.601, 95% CI 1.337–43.207, P = 0.022), pharmacy department (OR = 18.858, 95% CI 3.245–109.57, P = 0.001), oncology department (OR = 4.304, 95% CI 2.426–7.634, P < 0.001), cardiology department (OR = 3.001, 95% CI 1.387–6.492, P = 0.005), hospitals located in Eastern China (OR = 1.957, 95% CI 1.120–3.418, P = 0.018), and hospitals located in Western China (OR = 3.137, 95% CI 1.783–5.518, P < 0.001). Positive attitudes were significantly associated with a senior professional title (OR = 2.989, 95% CI 1.124–7.954, P = 0.028) and hospitals located in Eastern China (OR = 0.424, 95% CI 0.257–0.698, P = 0.001), Western China (OR = 0.231, 95% CI 0.136–0.394, P < 0.001), and Southern China (OR = 0.341, 95% CI 0.198–0.587, P < 0.001). Proactive practice was significantly associated with male (OR = 1.414, 95% CI 1.029–1.943, P = 0.033), senior professional title (OR = 3.838, 95% CI 1.176–12.524, P = 0.026), oncology department (OR = 3.827, 95% CI 2.336–6.272, P < 0.001), and cardiology department (OR = 2.428, 95% CI 1.263–4.669, P = 0.008). Both physicians and pharmacists had positive attitudes toward the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular toxicity associated with cancer treatment, while their knowledge and practice were not as proactive.