A mixed method study of medical oncologists’ perceived barriers and motivators to addressing long-term effects in breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify oncologist-reported barriers and motivators in addressing long-term effects with breast cancer survivors. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of data from a survey of U.S. medical oncologists (n = 217) about breast cancer survivorship care in clinical practice. Using both closed- and open-ended questions, we asked oncologists to report barriers and motivators they perceived in addressing long-term effects with breast cancer patients. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and rank items endorsed by oncologists in analyses of quantitative data; content analysis was used to identify salient categories of barriers and motivators in qualitative data. RESULTS: Key barriers to managing physical long-term effects included lack of time during appointments (n = 128 oncologists, 59%) and perceived lack of evidence-based interventions (n = 89, 41%). With respect to psychosocial effects, oncologists reported lack of knowledge (n = 88, 40.6%) and challenges making referrals to mental health providers (n = 115, 53%). From the qualitative data, three distinct barrier categories emerged: “Competing priorities during brief appointments;” “Discussing long-term effects—Who? What? When?;” and “Beyond my expertise and comfort level.” Two motivator categories emerged: “I owe it to them;” and “Giving people a life worth living.” CONCLUSION: Oncologists’ key motivators for addressing long-term effects were focused on professional values, relationships with survivors, and their commitment to prioritizing patients' quality of life. Future efforts should leverage oncologists' professional and interpersonal motivators to enhance the delivery of survivorship care for breast cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10549-022-06657-6.