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Health professional and consumer views on involving breast cancer patients in the multidisciplinary discussion of their disease and treatment plan

  1. Phyllis Butow MPH, PhD1,2,
  2. James D. Harrison MPH2,†,*,
  3. Ellis T. Choy MS3,‡,
  4. Jane M. Young MPH, PhD2,
  5. Andrew Spillane MD3,
  6. Alison Evans PhD4

Article first published online: 6 SEP 2007

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23007

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 110, Issue 9, pages 1937–1944, 1 November 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Butow, P., Harrison, J. D., Choy, E. T., Young, J. M., Spillane, A. and Evans, A. (2007), Health professional and consumer views on involving breast cancer patients in the multidisciplinary discussion of their disease and treatment plan. Cancer, 110: 1937–1944. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23007

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

  2. 2

    Surgical Outcome Research Centre (SOuRCe), Sydney South West Area Health Service & University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

  3. 3

    Sydney Breast Cancer Institute, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia

  4. 4

    National Breast Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia

  1. †

    Fax: (011) 61 2 9515 9091

  2. ‡

    Dr. Ellis Choy was supported by scholarships from the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Foundation.

*Surgical Outcomes Research Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, PO Box M157, Missenden Road NSW 2050, Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 OCT 2007
  2. Article first published online: 6 SEP 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 17 JUL 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 30 MAY 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 15 MAR 2007

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Keywords:

  • consumer participation;
  • patient care team;
  • decision-making;
  • patient-centered care;
  • patient care management;
  • multidisciplinary communication;
  • breast neoplasms;
  • multidisciplinary care

The study obtained the views of health professionals and patients about the concept of involving breast cancer patients in the multidisciplinary treatment planning meeting.

Abstract

BACKGROUND.

The aim was to obtain the views of health professionals and patients about the concept of involving breast cancer patients in the multidisciplinary (MD) treatment planning meeting.

METHODS.

Breast cancer surgeons, nurses, oncologists, and patient advocates completed a mailed questionnaire.

RESULTS.

The majority of breast cancer health professionals and patient advocates support shared decision-making (58%–62%). However, less than a third of surgeons (32%), medical (25%), and radiation oncologists (24%) were supportive of involving women in the MD treatment planning meeting. In contrast, 93% of breast cancer advocates and 73% of breast cancer nurses were supportive of this approach. Patient advocates were significantly more in favor than all other groups (χ2 = 148.8, df = 4, P < .001). The common reasons for supporting patient involvement included that it would lead to patients being more informed and empowered, provide them with an opportunity to ask questions, facilitate decision-making, and improve communication between the patient and the medical team. Health professionals stated that attendance would make patients anxious and that they would have to modify their medical language. Suggestions about how to manage patient involvement included the patient being supported by a breast nurse and pre-education before the meeting. Patient advocates were significantly more willing to participate in a randomized controlled trial of this process compared with all other groups. (χ2 = 155.15, df = 4, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS.

Despite health professional's reservations, patient advocates were highly supportive of including women in the MD meeting. Such a high demand justifies consideration of this option. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.

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