Development and evaluation of a decision aid for patients considering treatment options for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

A decision whether to receive chemotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one in which the benefits and risks of the treatment and the personal values of the patient must be considered. Objectives of the study were to develop and conduct a preliminary evaluation of a decision aid for patients making the decision about chemotherapy for stage IV NSCLC. In particular, this study: (1) evaluated the effect of the decision aid on the patient's comprehension of the treatment alternatives, benefits and risks; (2) evaluated the effect of the decision aid on the decisional conflict experienced by the patient; and (3) evaluated the decision aid's acceptability to patients and practitioners. The decision aid was developed by Valerie Fiset, Dr Annette O'Connor, Dr Bill Evans, Dr Jo Logan and Cathy DeGrasse. It includes information describing advanced lung cancer, its effects and what people may do to cope with those effects. As well, the decision aid describes supportive care, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, discussing in detail the benefits and risks of chemotherapy. The last part of the decision aid is an exercise in values clarification, which helps the patient to think about what is most important to them in making the decision about chemotherapy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)