Not having adequate time to make a treatment decision can impact on cancer patients' care experience: results of a cross-sectional study

Objective: We examined whether patients reporting not having adequate time to make a treatment decision is associated with discordance between their preferred and perceived involvement in decision making. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study involving Australian outpatients attending five medical or radiation oncology units. Logistic regression modelling was conducted. Results: Four hundred twenty-three patients participated. Patients who reported not having adequate time to make their last important treatment decision had significantly higher odds of experiencing discordance between their preferred and perceived involvement in this decision, compared to those patients who reported having adequate time (OR: 2.76; 95% CI: 1.01-7.55; p = 0.048). Conclusion: Patients should receive adequate time when making cancer treatment decisions. This may help patients "digest" and use the information they received, and become involved in decision making, to the extent they desire. Future research should further investigate what patients consider adequate time for decision making. Practice implications: Doctors should assess patients' preferences for the amount of time they prefer when making a treatment decision and tailor care accordingly. Offering patients two consultations with some time to think about their options in-between these consultations may be one method in achieving this.