Patient Perspectives Toward a Decision Aid for Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Intermediate Risk Thyroid Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Patient Decision Making
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Intermediate-risk thyroid cancer patients face complex decisions regarding radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment post-thyroidectomy.
• Uncertainty surrounding RAI risks and benefits complicates treatment choices for this patient group.
• This study aimed to identify patient decisional needs to develop a web-based patient decision aid (PtDA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the specific informational and decisional needs of patients with intermediate-risk thyroid cancer who are offered RAI treatment.
• To inform the development of a patient decision aid (PtDA) tailored to the needs of these patients.
• To enhance shared decision-making in RAI treatment for thyroid cancer.

Main Methods:

• Purposive sampling recruited 23 adult thyroid cancer patients offered RAI treatment from three hospitals.
• Online surveys and semi-structured focus groups explored patient experiences and decisional needs.
• Qualitative content analysis of focus group transcripts identified key themes and recommendations.

Main Results:

• Patients desire involvement in decision-making, value-based outcomes, and clear information on RAI.
• Key knowledge gaps identified include RAI dosage, side effects, risk stratification, and safety precautions.
• Patients recommended specific content for a PtDA, including information on low-iodine diets and financial costs.

Conclusions:

• Patient insights are crucial for developing a targeted web-based PtDA for RAI treatment decisions.
• A PtDA should integrate personal values, risk information, and logistical factors for informed decision-making.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of PtDAs in intermediate-risk thyroid cancer management.