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Influential factors on treatment decision making among patients with colorectal cancer: A scoping review

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Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, a greater emphasis has been placed on shared decision-making (SDM) techniques between providers and patients with the goal of helping patients make informed decisions about their care and subsequently to improve patient health outcomes. Previous research has shown variability in treatment decision-making among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and there is little comprehensive information available to help explain this variability. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the current state of the literature on factors that are influential in treatment decision-making among patients with CRC.

Method

A priori search terms using Boolean connectors were used to examine PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, and MEDLINE for relevant studies. Eligibility criteria for inclusion in the study included patients with CRC and examination of influences on CRC treatment decision-making. All relevant data were extracted including, author, title and year, study methodology, and study results.

Results

Findings (n = 13) yielded influences in four areas: informational, patient treatment goals, patient role preferences, and relationship with provider. Quality of life and trust in physician were rated a high priority among patients when making decisions between different therapeutic options. Several studies found that patients wanted to be informed and involved but did not necessarily want to make autonomous treatment choices, with many preferring a more passive role.

Conclusions

Providers who initiate a dialog to better understand their patients’ treatment goals can establish rapport, increase patient understanding of treatment options, and help patients assume their desired role in their decision-making. Overall, there were a small number of studies that met all inclusion criteria with most used a cross-sectional design.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 324 Rosenau Hall, 134 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Nicole M. Cranley

  2. Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Barbara Curbow & Juliette Christie

  3. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Thomas J. George Jr.

Authors
  1. Nicole M. Cranley
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  2. Barbara Curbow
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  3. Thomas J. George Jr.
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  4. Juliette Christie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicole M. Cranley.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

There was no financial support for this study.

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Cranley, N.M., Curbow, B., George, T.J. et al. Influential factors on treatment decision making among patients with colorectal cancer: A scoping review. Support Care Cancer 25, 2943–2951 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3763-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3763-z

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