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Attitudes toward cancer: I. The impact of a comprehensive oncology course on second‐year medical students
Author(s) -
Blanchard Christina G.,
Ruckdeschel John C.,
Cohen Randye E.,
Shaw Edward,
McSharry James,
Horton John
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19810601)47:11<2756::aid-cncr2820471135>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - medicine , class (philosophy) , set (abstract data type) , family medicine , oncology , cancer , medical education , artificial intelligence , computer science , programming language
This study focuses on the change in medical students' attitudes toward cancer and related issues when the factual knowledge concerning the contemporary treatment of the cancer patient is increased. The Cancer Attitude Survey, an instrument consisting of 33 original items developed by Haley et al. 9 and 27 additional items developed by the present authors, was administered to a sophomore class of medical students before and after an oncology course. Depsite the absence of formal attempts to teach specific attitudes, significant changes in attitudes were observed in responses to 18 of the 60 items (30%). After completing the course, students were more likely to favor an active role both for the patient and for the physician in each stage of the treatment process. Although students were more likely to favor aggressive treatment, they also indicated that appropriate limits should be set. Implications for teaching and for further research on attitudes and behavior are noted.