ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
breast cancer
;
choice
;
decision-making process
;
patient–physician relationship
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:Shared decision-making is increasingly advocated asan ideal model. However, very few studies have tested the feasibility ofgiving patients the opportunity to participate in the choice of treatment. Patients and methods:Women, with non-metastatic breast cancer,eligible for non-intensified adjuvant chemotherapy attending our hospital wereproposed two administrations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy: a sequentialand a concomitant one. Two patient-questionnaires were used to elicitmotivations for their choice and their degree of comfort with the process ofdecision-making and one questionnaire to test physicians' ability to predictpatients' choice. Results:Participation rate in the study was 75.3%(n = 64). Majority (64%) of patients chose the concomitanttreatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with a lower level ofeducation, who discussed the choice with social circle, and who most fearedside-effects were more likely to choose the sequential treatment. Physicianswere able to predict patients' choice in 66% of cases. 89% ofpatients declared that they were "fully satisfied" with having participatedin the choice of treatment and 79% supported shared decision-making. Conclusions:Results are in favour of promoting activeparticipation of cancer-patients in medical decision-making. The adequatedegree of such participation remains however to be elicited and tested fortherapeutic choices implying more difficult trade-offs between quantity andquality of life.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008390027720
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