Physician‐related facilitators and barriers to patient involvement in treatment decision making in early stage breast cancer

Perspectives of physicians and patients

Bibliographic Data

ID19508490
AuthorsMary Ann O’Brien (0000-0001-6093-1040, University of Toronto, corresponding author), Peter M Ellis (McMaster University), Timothy J Whelan (0000-0001-9844-2023, McMaster University), Cathy Charles (McMaster University), Amiram Gafni (0000-0001-8279-8172, McMaster University), Peter Lovrics (McMaster University), Som D Mukherjee (McMaster University), Nicole Hodgson (McMaster University)
Year2013
Volume16
Issue4
Pages373-384
Publication date2013-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00712.x
PMID21923813
OpenAlexW1501705820
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited41

Objective To identify patients’ and physicians’ perceptions of physician‐related verbal and nonverbal facilitators and barriers to patient involvement in treatment decision making (TDM) occurring during clinical encounters for women with early stage breast cancer (ESBC). Methods Eligible women were offered treatment options including surgery and adjuvant therapy. Eligible physicians provided care for women with ESBC in either a teaching hospital or an academic cancer centre. In Phase 1, women were interviewed 1–2 weeks after their initial consultation. In Phase 2, women and their physicians were interviewed separately while watching their own consultation on a digital video disk. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed. Results Forty women with ESBC and six physicians participated. Patients and physicians identified thirteen categories of physician facilitators of women’s involvement. Of these, seven categories were frequently identified by women: conveyed a rationale for patient involvement in TDM; explained the risk of cancer recurrence; explained treatment options; enhanced patient understanding of information; gave time for TDM; offered a treatment recommendation; and made women feel comfortable. Physicians described similar information‐giving facilitators but less often mentioned other facilitators. Few physician barriers to women’s involvement in TDM were identified. Conclusions Women with ESBC and cancer physicians shared some views of how physicians involve patients in TDM, although there were important differences. Physicians may underestimate the importance that women’s place on understanding the rationale for their involvement in TDM and on feeling comfortable during the consultation

Breast cancer · Cancer · Family medicine · Feeling · MEDLINE · Cancer survivorship and care · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Medicine · Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare · Psychology · Internal Medicine

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