Patient decision making concerning clinical trials (original) (raw)

PubMed, 2006

Abstract

n the last several columns in this series, a basic overview of clinical trials was presented. In this column, decision-making issues that patients and their fam- ily members or significant others may encounter as they confront the clinical trials process will be addressed. A person diagnosed with cancer must make many deci- sions, ranging from selecting physicians to choosing treatment options. Patients may feel over- whelmed and question their abili- ty to make sound decisions. Although timely treatment is important, patients should be en- couraged to take enough time to understand all available options in order to make informed decisions. Daugherty (2005) empha- sized that it is important to rec- ognize treatment decision making and information seeking as dis- tinctive and separate compo- nents of the medical encounter. He correctly refers to evidence suggesting that although patients generally express preferences for information about their illness and treatment, they might not engage in information-seeking behavior. Mansell, Poses, Kazis, and Duefield (2000) examined clinical factors that patients desire in order to participate in their treatment decisions. These researchers concluded that physicians should provide oppor- tunities for patient involvement in decisions about serious illness because patients want to be par- ticipants in those decisions. As the baby boomers continue to age, health care providers may see a change in information-seek- ing behavior as it relates to treat- ment decisions. More research is needed in this area. Clearly, patients, family mem- bers, and significant others must be advocates for the patient. Understanding initial treatment options can be confusing to the patient, but this situation can be compounded when an individual learns the cancer has recurred or a new malignancy is present. It is important to spend sufficient time with patients to ensure they understand various treatment options. In most cases, patients may require an additional appoint- ment to repeat the discussion because they may not have "heard" all the information at the time of diagnosis or during dis- cussion of relapse. For patients with cancer, treatment decisions are not a one-time experience. When one treatment is no longer effective, new options are pre- sented and more decisions must be made. Table 1 provides some tips that patients can use when discussing treatment options with their health care providers. Deciding to Enroll in Clinical Trials

Linda Yoder hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Linda know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.