Understanding Advanced Prostate Cancer Decision Making Utilizing an Interactive Decision Aid.
Randy A Jones, Patricia J Hollen, Jennifer Wenzel and 4 others
PMID 27811543WHAT IT FOUND
Men with advanced prostate cancer and their partners said an interactive decision aid helped them compare treatment options, clarify priorities, and ask oncology nurses and doctors more questions.
It showed what patients valued, not that the aid improved outcomes.
Key findings
01Participants said the decision aid helped them understand treatment choices and notice issues they had not considered before.
02Patients and decision partners often placed quality of life above extending life, especially when treatment side effects threatened daily tasks and enjoyment.
03Structured contact with oncology nurses and physicians helped participants share priorities, ask questions, and focus the treatment conversation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Forty-one pairs were categorized as having a man diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, but only 35 pairs completed interviews. The sample was mostly college-educated and had an annual income above $40,000, so lower-income patients may have different needs. Most decision partners were female spouses, so male partners or children may have different experiences. The patients were predominantly Caucasian, so other racial groups may have different values and experiences. All participants agreed to use a decision aid, so patients who would refuse one are not represented. Patients and decision partners were interviewed together, which may have limited what they said freely. The study reports themes from interviews, not tested effects on decision quality, regret, anxiety, or survival.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read participants' positive comments as proof that the decision aid improves decisions, reduces regret, or changes survival. The study asked people after using the aid and reported their experiences, not tested outcomes.