The attitudes of physicians and oncologists towards unconventional cancer therapies (UCT)

Physicians represent the main providers of unconventional cancer therapies (UCT) in Germany. However, little is known about providers' characteristics . as well as their attitudes towards UCT. 833 questionnaires on this topic answered by general practitioners and hospital physicians were analysed. Pr oviders differed significantly from non-providers with respect to gender (m ale > female, i.e. more male providers). age (older > younger). amount of s ubjective knowledge about UCT, place of work (office > hospital > universit y clinic), greater wish for coverage of UCT costs, the belief in future pos itive trends concerning UCT, the recognition of patients' demand for UCT. t he number of patients seen per month and medical specialty (GPs > oncologis ts and radiation oncologists. UCT were not considered to be highly effectiv e, but estimations varied considerably. Further investigations in this area , better education about UCT. training in coping strategies with the fate o f cancer patients, and reasonable complementary treatments appear to he of the utmost importance. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.