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Taking responsibility for cancer treatment.
J M Deadman1, S J Leinster, R G Owens
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Sutton General Hospital, Surrey, UK.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|August 2, 2001
Summary
Women with early breast cancer experienced better psychological outcomes when they actively participated in choosing their treatment. Involvement in treatment decisions, beyond just preference, significantly improved psychological well-being post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Medical Decision-Making
Background:
- Early breast cancer patients' psychological well-being is crucial during treatment.
- Treatment choice involvement can influence patient outcomes.
- Previous studies highlight the importance of patient-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological effects of patient involvement in treatment choice for early breast cancer.
- To compare psychological outcomes between women advised mastectomy versus those involved in treatment decisions.
- To assess the additional benefits of explicit responsibility for treatment choice.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 114 early breast cancer patients participated.
- Patients were offered counseling throughout their treatment journey.
- A comparative analysis was conducted between women advised mastectomy and those involved in treatment choice, with further subgroup randomization for decision responsibility.
Main Results:
- Women involved in choosing their treatment reported better psychological outcomes compared to those advised mastectomy.
- Patients taking explicit responsibility for their treatment choice showed further psychological benefits.
- The study utilized a double-blind procedure for random allocation within the decision-making groups.
Conclusions:
- Patient involvement in treatment choice positively impacts psychological well-being in early breast cancer.
- Explicit responsibility for treatment decisions offers additional psychological benefits beyond preferred treatment.
- Empowering patients in decision-making is a vital component of supportive cancer care.
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