Shared decision making in head neck cancer

Abstract

Shared decision making (SDM) has been presented as an ethical framework for cancer care decision making. It is, however, difficult to apply and lacks practicality. SDM is a partnership between physicians and patients that combines personal values and preferences with the most up-to-date medical knowledge. It has the ability to reduce choice conflicts, foster value congruence, and boost patient participation. However, little study has been conducted on the attitudes of patients and surgeons towards SDM in surgical decision-making. Patients and surgeons favoured the SDM in general, but none of the trials looked at decision preferences in an emergency situation. There is a need to broaden research into new and demanding therapeutic contexts.

Keywords

• Shared decision making
• Communication
• Head neck cancer
• Patient preferences
• Decisional aids