Are patients’ preferences for information and participation in medical decision-making being met? Interview study with lung cancer patients

Abstract

We examined the degree to which newly diagnosed patients with advanced lung cancer wanted to be informed and involved in medical decision-making, and whether the patients felt their preferences were met. Patients from 13 hospitals in Flanders were interviewed with a standard questionnaire. A total of 128 patients (68%) participated. Of the patients who wanted to be informed about life expectancy, half (53%) reported they were informed, and of those who wanted to be informed about palliative care and end-of-life decisions, 25% and 31% said they were informed, respectively. With regard to participation in medical decision-making (in general, about treatment, transfer or end-of-life), patients who preferred the doctor to make decisions or those who preferred to make the decision themselves often achieved this (in their perception), while patients who wanted an in-between position with some involvement, often did not. To conclude, preferences of patients with lung cancer for information concerning delicate topics and for shared decision-making with the physician were not well met.