Factors Affecting Shared Decision-Making in Breast Cancer Surgeries: Egyptian Perspective

Abstract

Background: Shared decision-making in breast cancer surgeries constitutes interplay between clinicians, patients and family members. More involvement in the decision-making process is associated with high patient satisfaction and better treatment outcomes. Aim: The present study aims to develop the first Arabic questionnaire assessing factors affecting patients’ involvement in the decision- making of breast cancer surgeries. Methods: A total number of 183 female diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited to participate in the current study. Results: The results revealed that the majority of the current sample were informed about treatment and surgical options available for them. Almost 60% of women in the current study reported that being married would affect their decision-making process. More than half of the sample reported that their husband opinion matters when it comes to surgical decision making. If breast reconstruction was an available option for women, approximately 57.9% of them would not prefer it. Nearly three quarters of surgeon participants in the current study reported the need for decisional aids to facilitate engagement of the patients in the decision-making process. additionally, 66.7% of surgeons reported that patients’ comorbidity profile affects engaging them in surgical decision-making. Conclusion: We could conclude that marital status, patients’ comorbidity profile, partners’ opinion, and the cost of the surgical intervention, age, the social status of the patient, and stage of illness are among the factors that affect shared decision-making.