Knowledge and attitude toward proton radiotherapy among oncology patients: a multi-center, cross-sectional study

<b>Aim:</b> To explore the knowledge and attitude among oncology patients toward proton radiotherapy. <b>Materials &amp; methods:</b> This cross-sectional study was performed using self-designed questionnaire. <b>Results:</b> Based on 546 valid questionnaires, mean knowledge and attitude scores of 3.4 ± 3.6 (range: 0–12) and 31.1 ± 3.5 (range: 10–50) were observed. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher education (<i>p</i> = 0.021), higher monthly income (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and proton radiotherapy history (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with higher knowledge scores. Higher knowledge (<i>p</i> = 0.020), older age (<i>p</i> = 0.030), not smoking (<i>p</i> = 0.032) and medication use (<i>p</i> = 0.035) were independently associated with higher attitude scores. <b>Conclusion:</b> Oncology patients have insufficient knowledge and negative attitude toward proton radiotherapy, which might be affected by their age, education, income, proton radiotherapy history, employment, smoking and medication use. Understanding oncology patients' knowledge and attitude toward proton radiotherapy is benefit for the improvement of their clinical outcomes and quality of care. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitude among oncology patients toward proton radiotherapy. A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted on 546 oncology patients, using a self-designed questionnaire. Patients' knowledge and attitude scores toward proton radiotherapy were assessed by the questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to explore the associations among sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude. Oncology patients might have insufficient knowledge and negative attitude toward proton radiotherapy. Age, education, income, proton radiotherapy history, employment, smoking, and medication treatment for other conditions might have an impact on their knowledge and attitude. The findings would help clinicians to identify cancer patients who require further education and interventions to improve their knowledge and attitude.

**研究目的：** 探究肿瘤患者对质子放射治疗（Proton Radiotherapy）的认知与态度。
**材料与方法：** 本研究采用自制调查问卷开展横断面研究。
**结果：** 基于546份有效问卷，患者的认知得分均值为3.4±3.6（范围0~12），态度得分均值为31.1±3.5（范围10~50）。多因素分析结果显示，较高学历（*p*=0.021）、较高月收入（*p*=0.005）以及有质子放射治疗史（*p*<0.001）与更高的认知得分独立相关；更高的认知水平（*p*=0.020）、更高龄（*p*=0.030）、不吸烟（*p*=0.032）以及用药史（*p*=0.035）与更高的态度得分独立相关。
**结论：** 肿瘤患者对质子放射治疗的认知水平不足且态度偏消极，其认知与态度可能受年龄、学历、收入、质子放射治疗史、就业情况、吸烟情况及用药情况的影响。充分了解肿瘤患者对质子放射治疗的认知与态度，有助于改善其临床结局与照护质量。本研究旨在探究肿瘤患者对质子放射治疗的认知与态度，共纳入546名肿瘤患者开展多中心横断面研究，采用自制调查问卷对患者的质子放射治疗认知与态度得分进行评估，通过多因素logistic回归分析探究社会人口学特征、认知水平与态度之间的关联。肿瘤患者对质子放射治疗可能存在认知不足与态度消极的问题，年龄、学历、收入、质子放射治疗史、就业情况、吸烟情况及其他疾病的用药治疗可能对其认知与态度产生影响。本研究结果可帮助临床医师识别需要接受进一步教育与干预以改善其认知与态度的肿瘤患者。