Documentation of tumor -node -metastasis cancer staging: The relationship between physician-perceived skill levels, available resources, and physician attitudes

The purpose of this quantitative, descriptive, and structured survey study was to determine if a relationship exists between physician attitudes toward inaccurate tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging and their self-perceived levels of staging skill and access to staging resources. Incomplete and TNM staging within the medical records of cancer patients directly affects the quality of care received by this patient population. Survey responses drawn from 276 physicians from across the United States revealed positive attitudes toward TNM staging; however, their self-perceptions of their own levels of staging skill, as well as their perceptions surrounding the availability of staging resources, are negative. The findings of this research also indicated a statistically significant relationship between overall physician attitudes toward TNM staging and their perceived levels of staging skill and perceived levels of access to staging resources. These findings support the need for continual physician education in TNM staging and increased access to staging resources. Additionally, a higher level of related patient education would enable cancer patients to make well-informed decisions surrounding their treatment.