3 Dimensions of Treatment Decision Making in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer.
Kimberly A Pyke-Grimm, Linda S Franck, Bonnie Halpern-Felsher and 2 others
PMID 33084293WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescents and young adults with cancer shift from passive to active roles in treatment decisions as they gain experience.
They readily lead minor supportive care choices but prefer collaboration with parents and clinicians for major, life-altering decisions.
Key findings
01Participants identified three dimensions influencing decision-making: becoming experienced with cancer, the import of the decision, and the decision-making role assumed.
02Most adolescents and young adults made major treatment decisions in collaboration with parents or health care providers, rather than taking the lead alone.
03Adolescents and young adults were typically active in making minor supportive care decisions, such as symptom management and port access.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small and drawn from only two pediatric oncology centers in the western United States. Participants may have provided socially acceptable responses rather than sharing negative experiences. The study only captured the perspectives of the adolescents and young adults, not their parents or health care providers. Parents were present during some interviews, and it is unknown if this affected the participants' responses. The sample did not include older adolescents and young adults or those living independently.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflict of interests to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that a specific communication strategy improves clinical outcomes or adherence. The study describes patient preferences and experiences; it did not test an intervention or measure treatment results.