Knowledge, interest, and willingness of hematologists and oncologists to care for adults with vascular anomalies

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

BACKGROUND: Vascular anomalies (VAs) are rare diseases that cause significant morbidity. Adults with VAs struggle to access expert care. Hematologists and oncologists in adult medicine are positioned to provide expert care, but no prior studies have characterized their openness to this role. OBJECTIVES: This study characterized the experience, confidence, willingness, and motivating factors for hematologists/oncologists to care for adults with VAs. METHODS: We surveyed United States hematologists and oncologists in adult medicine between October 2024 and March 2025. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, experience, confidence, and willingness to care for adults with VAs, as well as open-ended questions assessing factors influencing this willingness. RESULTS: We received responses from 358 physicians, representing 94 institutions across 38 states. Most participants reported "no knowledge" for 14 of 16 VA diagnoses. Furthermore, 34.1% did not know where to refer these patients. Many participants reported no VA education postmedical school (61.2%), no confidence in providing VA care (49.5%), and being extremely unlikely to begin caring for patients with VAs (65.8%). However, 69.9% of participants felt hematologist/oncologists were appropriate physicians to care for VAs. In multivariable analysis, confidence in VA care was associated with likelihood of taking on this role (β, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.78). In open-ended responses, we identified 7 factors that influenced physicians' interest and willingness to care for VA patients. CONCLUSION: Many physicians are open to roles for hematologists/oncologists in VA care but not willing to fill this role themselves. Administrators, educators, and VA specialists should develop strategies to increase the interest, capacity, and willingness to care for VAs.