Attitudes of Oncologists, Oncology Nurses, and Patients from a Women's Clinic Regarding Medical Decision Making for Older and Younger Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

To assess their attitudes toward patient input in medical decisions for breast cancer patients, 67 oncologists, 94 oncology nurses and 288 patients from a women's clinic completed the Beisecker Locus of Authority in Decision Making: Breast Cancer survey. Nurses and physicians responded in terms of a patient aged 40, 60, or 75 years. All groups believed that physicians should have the dominant role in decision making. Nurses felt that patients should have more input than patients or physicians felt they should. Physicians advocated the least patient input. Patient age was not a significant factor in explaining respondents' attitudes.

Preferences for involvement in treatment decision making of patients with cancer: A review of the literature

“…Only nine studies recruited a patient group of 150 or more (Beisecker et al, 1994;Beaver et al, 1996;Degner et al, 1997;Petrisek et al, 1997;Wallberg et al, 2000;Gattellari et al, 2001;Keating et al, 2002;Beaver et al, 2003;Kraetschmer et al, 2004). The overwhelming majority of studies included adults and focused on adult preferences for involvement in treatment decision making.…”

“…Most studies focussed exclusively on women with breast cancer (12 in total) (Beisecker et al, 1994;Hack et al, 1994;Beaver et al, 1996;Bilodeau and Degner, 1996;Johnson et al, 1996;Degner et al, 1997;Petrisek et al, 1997;Wallberg et al, 2000;Lobb et al, 2001;Bruera et al, 2002;Keating et al, 2002;Janz et al, 2004). One of these studies did not actually focus on a sample of patients with cancer but on the perceptions of oncologists, oncology nurses and patients attending a women's clinic (Beisecker et al, 1994).…”

“…Most studies focussed exclusively on women with breast cancer (12 in total) (Beisecker et al, 1994;Hack et al, 1994;Beaver et al, 1996;Bilodeau and Degner, 1996;Johnson et al, 1996;Degner et al, 1997;Petrisek et al, 1997;Wallberg et al, 2000;Lobb et al, 2001;Bruera et al, 2002;Keating et al, 2002;Janz et al, 2004). One of these studies did not actually focus on a sample of patients with cancer but on the perceptions of oncologists, oncology nurses and patients attending a women's clinic (Beisecker et al, 1994). Most other studies focussed on a heterogeneous patient group with a mix of different cancers (11 in total) (Dunsmore and Quine, 1995;Barry and Henderson, 1996;Butow et al, 1997;Rothenbacher et al, 1997;Stigglebout and Kiebert, 1997;Pyke Grimm et al, 1999;Bruera et al, 2001;Gattellari et al, 2001;Gagnon and Recklitis, 2003;Heyland et al, 2003;Kraetschmer et al, 2004).…”

Development of a Question Prompt Sheet for Cancer Patients Receiving Outpatient Palliative Care

“…8,9 Similarly, physicians may be unsure about the type and extent of information to provide their patients, when to convey them, or whom to have those conversations with. 10,11 The use of communication aids, therefore, helps address some of these barriers.…”

Development of a question prompt sheet for cancer patients receiving outpatient palliative care.

“…8,9 Similarly, physicians may be unsure about the type and extent of information to provide their patients, when to convey them, or whom to have those conversations with. 10,11 The use of communication aids, therefore, helps address some of these barriers.…”