Oral Cancer Knowledge Behavior and Attitude Amon

Authors: Zachary R McCready Preetha Kanjirath Bruno C Jham

Publish Date: 2014/06/03

Volume: 30, Issue: 2, Pages: 231-236

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Abstract

Approximately 21000 osteopathic medical students were enrolled in the USA in 2012–2013 These future physicians are being educated with an emphasis on a holistic or patientcentered approach with a focus on preventive care Considering the importance of preventive care and early diagnosis in the outcomes of oral malignancies our goal in this study was to assess the knowledge behavior and attitude of osteopathic medical students in relation to oral cancer To this end 204 secondyear Y2 and 194 fourthyear Y4 medical students were invited to participate in an electronic survey Fortyone Y2 and 44 Y4 students agreed to participate 20 and 22  response rate respectively The results showed that most Y2 and Y4 students were knowledgeable in certain areas demographic features important risk factors and histologic feature but deficient in others clinical presentation association of human papillomavirus HPV with oropharyngeal cancers and screening recommendations Head neck and oral examination habits were reported as being performed occasionally Overall students reported feeling uninformed about oral cancer and showed an interest in receiving further education on the subject Our findings confirm that an overall improvement in oral cancer education in the medical curriculum is needed Interprofessional collaboration between dental and medical schools may prove to be a valid approach to achieve this goal which may possibly lead to increased detection of early oral cancerous lesions and ultimately improved mortality rates

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