Choice of Oncologist and Influencing Factors: Analysis of The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Registry

Choice of oncologist by patients with pancreatic cancer is a complex personal decision. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network registry to explore whether age, gender, disease status, feelings of trust and comfort, and the opportunity for clinical trial participation influenced patient choice. Of 110 participants who completed the “Information about Choosing an Oncologist Survey,” 68 (61.8%) reported visiting another oncologist. Feeling comfortable and trusting their first oncologist decreased the likelihood of seeking a second opinion (OR: 0.08; CI: 0.01-0.42; P = 0.005). Patients with resectable disease were also less likely to visit another oncologist compared to patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced disease (OR: 0.28; CI : 0.08-0.95; P = 0.042). Age, gender, and the opportunity for clinical trial participation did not influence patient choice. Most patients who saw additional oncologists did so because of recommendations from friends or family-members. This analysis leveraged patient-reported outcomes to highlight determinants of patient decision-making.