Patient Decision Making Among Older Individuals With Cancer

Abstract

Patient decision making is an area of increasing inquiry. For older individuals experiencing cancer, variations in health and functional status, physiologic aspects of aging, and tension between quality and quantity of life present unique challenges to treatment-related decision making. We used the pragmatic utility method to analyze the concept of patient decision making in the context of older individuals with cancer. We first evaluated its maturity in existing literature and then posed analytical questions to clarify aspects found to be only partially mature. In this context, we found patient decision making to be an ongoing process, changing with time, reflecting individual and relational components, as well as analytical and emotional ones. Assumptions frequently associated with patient decision making were not consistent with the empirical literature. Careful attention to the multifaceted components of patient decision making among older individuals with cancer provides guidance for research, supportive interventions, and targeted follow-up care.

Slow-growing lung cancer as an emerging entity: from screening to clinical management

“…Age, personality traits, social wellbeing, parenthood and risk perception have been linked to the acceptance of treatment by patients [148,149]. Some patients with slow-growing lung cancer will accept or even solicit an aggressive approach, while others will be comfortable with being followed until the situation evolves.…”

The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: a qualitative study

“…There is limited evidence of the preferences for treatment decision making in older women with breast cancer . There is a trend for older patients to prefer their clinician to make the final treatment decision, and this trend increases with age .…”

The Information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: A qualitative study

“…There is limited evidence of the preferences for treatment decision making in older women with breast cancer [16,17]. There is a trend for older patients to prefer their clinician to make the final treatment decision, and this trend increases with age [18,19].…”