Information Provision, Decision Self-efficacy, and Decisional Conflict in Adopting Health Behaviors Among Patients Treated for Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

BackgroundHealth promotion is necessary to mitigate the negative consequences of colorectal cancer and its treatment. Rates of behavior modification are low in populations of cancer patients. Studies are needed to determine the factors, such as decisional conflict, which influence adoption of healthy behaviors following a cancer diagnosis.ObjectiveTo examine the effects of information provision, decision self-efficacy, and decisional conflict on the adoption of healthy behaviors among patients with colorectal cancer.MethodsThis cross-sectional study focused on 251 patients with colorectal cancer in South Korea. Information provision, decision self-efficacy, and decisional conflict were measured using validated instruments. Patients rated their decisional conflict related to the adoption of behaviors that include regular exercise and a balanced diet.ResultsMost participants (73%) reported low satisfaction with the amount of information received. Of the participants, 64% had low decision self-efficacy, and 80% experienced decisional conflict. The perception of a higher level of information provision was associated with greater decision self-efficacy (odds ratio, 4.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.61-13.35). Higher decision self-efficacy was associated with lower decisional conflict (odds ratio, 5.19; 95% confidence interval, 2.33-11.59).ConclusionReceiving adequate information is important for promoting patients' confidence in making decisions about their health and reducing decisional conflict in the adoption of healthy lifestyle changes following a cancer diagnosis.Implication for PracticeOncology nurses should assess patient information needs and promote decision self-efficacy, thus empowering patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer to make lifestyle decisions that improve their health and quality of life.

The relationship between physical activity, self-efficacy and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: a multicenter cross-sectional study

“…On the other hand, survivors with higher self-efficacy are more likely to engage in self-management and take appropriate actions to promote health and improve QoL [42]. Our results were consistent with Lee et al They found that providing enough additional information to improve self-efficacy could promote healthy lifestyles, thereby improving QoL [43]. However, there are few studies on the impact of self-efficacy on QoL in CRC survivors.…”

Efficacy of a Decision Support Intervention on Decisional Conflict Related to Hepatocellular Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…It is assumed that patients are not sufficiently knowledgeable and make decisions under undue pressure from others, regardless of their values and preferences. In this case, it can lead to a high degree of decisional conflict or uncertainty about which treatment to choose (Lee & Bryant-Lukosius, 2021). In a recent study by Shun et al, (2018), HCC patients reported moderate uncertainty about treatments.…”

“…Decision self-efficacy is a belief in one's ability to make decisions, including participating in SDM (O'Connor, 2002).Individuals with higher decision self-efficacy have lower decisional conflict. They are more confident that they have enough information, feel supported, and make the best choices for themselves (Lee & Bryant-Lukosius, 2021). Providing information is associated with greater decision self-efficacy, which can significantly reduce decisional conflict (Gao et al, 2021).…”