Decision-Making Preferences among Advanced Cancer Patients in a Palliative Setting in Jordan

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Psychology
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Patient decision-making preferences are vital for improving outcomes in advanced cancer care.
• Understanding these preferences in diverse populations, like in Jordan, is crucial for tailored medical approaches.
• Previous research highlights varying patient roles in medical decision-making, but specific data from Jordanian advanced cancer patients is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the preferred decision-making styles of advanced cancer patients in Jordan.
• To explore demographic and clinical factors associated with passive decision-making preferences.
• To assess patient satisfaction with decision-making processes and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey design was employed, recruiting 200 advanced cancer patients from a tertiary cancer center's palliative care clinic.
• The Control Preference Scale and Satisfaction with Decision Scale were used to measure decision-making preferences and satisfaction.
• Statistical analyses included Cohen's kappa for agreement, bivariate analysis, and univariate/multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors.

Main Results:

• A significant portion of patients (40.5%) preferred passive decision control, followed by shared (35%) and active (24.5%) control.
• Lower education, female gender, and Muslim faith were associated with a preference for passive decision-making.
• Male gender and Christian faith were significant predictors of active decision-making preferences.

Conclusions:

• Passive decision-making preference is prominent among advanced cancer patients in Jordan.
• Demographic factors significantly influence patients' preferred roles in decision-making.
• Further research should explore psychosocial, spiritual, and communication factors to inform clinical practice and policy.