“All about the value?” Decisional needs of breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients in the Chinese context: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore breast cancer (BC) patients' participation in breast reconstruction (BR) decision-making and specific decisional needs, especially the manifestations and causes of decisional conflicts, in China. MethodsA mixed-methods study was conducted using triangulation of data from interviews and a questionnaire survey with health care professionals (HCPs) and BC patients with BR decision-making experience at 5 Beijing centers. The Ottawa Decision Support Framework guided (ODSF) the qualitative and quantitative data analyses. ResultsA total of 82.53% of Chinese BC patients would consider BR. Seven themes captured patients' BR decisional needs per the ODSF: inadequate support/resources (100%, 58.82%) and knowledge (75%, 52.94%) were most frequently cited. Health beliefs (unclear values) reflected Chinese characteristics. Patients had inadequate knowledge (M=19.99/50, SD=8.67) but positive BR attitudes (M=59.48/95, SD=10.45). ConclusionsBR decisions for Chinese BC patients are complex and often accompanied by decisional conflicts. Inadequate knowledge and inadequate support and resources contribute to these conflicts, emphasizing the need for culturally tailored information and support to promote SDM. Practice implicationsHCPs need specialized training in SDM to guide patients in decision-making. It is essential to provide relevant resources and support that are culturally and clinically appropriate for Chinese patients.