Abstract
Background and Objectives. Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality, while the issues of patient rehabilitation, especially at advanced stages, remain insufficiently studied. The opinion of medical professionals plays a key role in the organization and implementation of rehabilitation measures. The purpose of this study was to assess the views of physicians from different specialties on the need for rehabilitation of patients with lung cancer, and to identify key barriers to oncology and rehabilitation care. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted among practicing physicians directly involved in the process of medical rehabilitation at various levels of medical care in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Data were collected from April to December 2024. The inclusion criteria were: oncologists, general practitioner, pulmonologists, therapists, and surgeons of outpatient clinics involved in the implementation of rehabilitation measures for lung cancer. The study included 306 physicians who met the inclusion criteria and fully completed the questionnaire. Results. In terms of gender, the majority of respondents were female 75.2% (N=230). The mean age was 38.7±10.7 years. The main barriers to effective cancer care: the most frequently cited barriers among general practitioner were patients’ indifference to their health 53.5% (N=38), insufficient funding 43.8% (N=32) and insufficient oncology knowledge 46.3% (N=19). Conclusions. The data obtained indicate the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the organization of rehabilitation care for patients with lung cancer. Differences in the opinions of physicians, as well as the identified barriers - informational, organizational and personnel - emphasize the importance of improving the qualifications of medical staff and informing patients to increase the availability and effectiveness of rehabilitation measures.