Professional educational needs for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV): multinational survey results from 2,388 health care providers

Purpose: Because as many as 30 % of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy of moderate or high emetogenic potential suffer from chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), we undertook a multinational survey to identify health care providers’ perceived knowledge gaps, barriers, and educational interests relevant to CINV.

Methods: An Internet-based survey was developed and was electronically disseminated to members of Medscape, an international Internet-based continuing medical education provider.

Results: A total of 2,388 health care providers responded to the survey. Although breakthrough nausea and vomiting was the most common CINV-related issue they managed in the preceding year, managing delayed nausea was the most problematic in that time period. Thirty-two percent of health care providers delayed or discontinued a patient’s chemotherapy because of CINV. Cost of antiemetics, patients’ poor adherence to antiemetic regimens, and health care providers’ underestimation of risk for CINV were all barriers to effective management. Health care providers expressed a wide range of educational interests, including managing breakthrough CINV, keeping up with novel antiemetic agents, and learning about emerging approaches for CINV prevention/management.

Conclusions: This survey of health care providers uncovered key barriers and educational needs relevant to the management of CINV. The findings from this survey can be used to develop educational initiatives focused on improving the care of cancer patients at risk for or suffering from CINV.