Physicians' and medical students' perspectives on patients' quality of life

Purpose. To compare medical students' and oncologists' perspectives about patient-related quality of life (QOL). Method. In 1996, the authors compared the questionnaire responses of 65 oncologists and 105 medical students in the state of Hawaii. Results. Participants returned 146 usable questionnaires (response rates: 69% of oncologists and 97% of students). Both groups saw pain and suffering as central to QOL, while medical students also valued autonomy. Both groups indicated that QOL was at least as important as survival in treatment decision making. Students were significantly more likely to emphasize the importance of QOL over survival. Students strongly preferred physician interviews to assess QOL. Most physicians reported assessing QOL in every patient, but only one in ten had used a QOL assessment questionnaire. Conclusion. Both students and oncologists expressed considerable interest in QOL and virtually all regarded it as an important part of care. There were more similarities than differences in responses. Future educational programs in both medical school and continuing education should build on these positive attitudes.