Study: Cancer Patients Prefer Care Involving Shared Decision Making

A recent study evaluating whether shared decision-making is associated with patient ratings for quality of care and physician communication shows the importance of patient input and participation in the treatment decision process.

Researchers collected data on more than 5,300 patients with lung cancer or colon cancer and asked patients to report their role in nearly 11,000 treatment decisions, along with their perception of the quality of their care and communication with their doctors.

The majority of patients, 58 percent, said they preferred shared roles in decision making, and 36 percent preferred patient-controlled decisions. Only 6 percent said they wanted their doctor to make all treatment decisions.

The results of the study suggest that cancer patients who feel more involved in making decisions about their treatments have higher perceptions of the quality of care they receive. You can read more about the study and findings here.

At Reno CyberKnife, our physicians and staff work with each patient to evaluate all treatment options and assess whether CyberKnife^® treatment may be an appropriate option. Learn more about our consultation and treatment process here.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.