Decision-making roles and activity in information seeking among cancer patients: A URCC CCOP Research Base study

Abstract

8083 Background. Research literature assumes patients are more likely to leave decisions about treatment to doctors. This study looks at self-reporting on decision-making, information-seeking among cancer pts. Methods. The URCC CCOP Research Base surveyed 1015 cancer pts, following diagnoses and referral to a CCOP treatment facility. Pts. responded at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Respondents were asked their preference level in making final decisions about treatments on a scale from “1” (pts. wanted the final decision) to “5” (doctor makes the decision solely). How actively the respondents sought information from “1” (not at all) to “5” (very active) was also assessed. Results. At pre-treatment, 64.6% of 952 respondents preferred some responsibility for treatment decisions, 24.2% wanted their opinions seriously considered in doctors’ final decisions, 11.2% preferred doctors make all decisions. At post-treatment, 53.7% of 752 respondents preferred some responsibility in treatment decisions, 16.0% felt their opinions were seriously considered in doctors’ final decisions, 29.8% left all decisions to doctors. Additionally during pre-treatment, 85.2% respondents indicated they actively seek information about their cancer, while 11.9% receive information passively, 2.7% don’t not seek information. At post-treatment, 79.1% of respondents actively sought information that information, 15.5% passively received information, and 5.2% sought no information. Comparing activity in seeking information to roles in decision-making processes, a negative Pearson correlation (Table 1) was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Patient reporting methods evince patients prefer to have an active role in the decision-making process. Additionally, the more actively respondents sought information, the less they placed decision-making solely to their doctors. No significant financial relationships to disclose.