Current status of and barriers to liver cancer treatment in China: a questionnaire-based study from the perspective of doctors

Abstract

Background : Liver cancer is a severe public health problem worldwide, and it creates a relatively higher disease burden in China than in the Western world. Despite achieving notable progress in China, potential imbalances in some aspects of medical services for liver cancer may persist across different regions and hospitals. This warrants serious consideration of the actual status of and barriers to liver cancer treatment. We intended to explore the present status of and obstacles in liver cancer treatment.Methods: In February 2021, a national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,500 doctors from 31 provinces of mainland China using a self-administered online questionnaire. All doctors completed the questionnaire about their general information, perspectives on the current status of liver cancer treatment, and expectations for future treatment. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the differences caused by the regions, professional titles, and hospital levels of the doctors. Results: Treatment conditions, medications, and treatment strategies were inconsistent across different economic regions and hospitals of varied levels. With respect to obstacles in treatment, 76.59% of the doctors were unsatisfied with the current treatment for liver cancer. Important factors that influenced their satisfaction with the treatment for liver cancer included early diagnosis and the disclosure of true conditions to patients.Conclusions: There persists unevenness in the treatment of liver cancer in China, besides barriers to treatment. Researchers should pay attention to the detection and treatment of liver cancer and the propagation of novel progress among doctors in underdeveloped areas.