AUTHOR=Kozhukhov Sergey , Dovganych Nataliia 

TITLE=Cardio-Oncology Educational Program: National Survey as the First Step to Start

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.697240

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2021.697240

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=Aim. The collaboration of cardiologists, general practitioners (GPs), and oncologists is crucial in cancer patient management. We carried out a national-based survey - UkrNatSurv - on behalf of the Cardio-Oncology (CO) Working Group (WG) of the Ukrainian Society of Cardiology to analyze the level of knowledge in cardio-oncology. 
Methods. A short questionnaire was presented to specialists involved in the management of cancer patients across the country. The questionnaire was made up of 8 questions concerning referred cancer patients number, CV complications of cancer therapy, diagnostic methods to detect cardiotoxicity, drugs used for its treatment.
Results. A total of 426 questionnaires of medical specialists from different regions of Ukraine were collected and analyzed; the majority of respondents were cardiologists (190), followed by GPs (177), 40 oncologists (mainly chemotherapists and hematologists), other - 19 (imaging specialists, neurologists, endocrinologists, etc.). 
	All responders were equally involved in the management of cancer patients. However, less than half of patients have been seen before the start of cancer therapy. GPs observe the majority of patients after the end of treatment. All doctors are sufficiently aware of cancer-therapy-associated CV complications. However, the necessary diagnostic tools, mostly biomarkers, are not used widely by different specialists. 
The criteria for cardiotoxicity, in particular the level of reduction of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as a marker of LV dysfunction, are not clearly understood. Specific knowledge in the management of CV complications in cancer is required. 
Conclusion. UkrNatSurv is the first survey in Ukraine to investigate awareness of CO care provided to cancer patients with CV diseases (CVD) or developed CV complications. Providing such surveys among doctors involved in CO is an excellent tool to investigate knowledge gaps in clinical practice. Therefore, the primary task is to develop a national educational CO program.