A video decision aid improves informed decision making in patients with advanced cancer considering palliative radiation therapy Journal Article


Authors: Dharmarajan, K. V.; Walters, C. B.; Levin, T. T.; Milazzo, C. A.; Monether, C.; Rawlins-Duell, R.; Tickoo, R.; Spratt, D. E.; Lovie, S.; Giannantoni-Ibelli, G.; McCormick, B.
Article Title: A video decision aid improves informed decision making in patients with advanced cancer considering palliative radiation therapy
Abstract: Context: Advanced cancer patients have unrecognized gaps in their understanding about palliative radiation therapy (PRT). Objectives: To build a video decision aid for hospitalized patients with advanced cancer referred for PRT and prospectively test its efficacy in reducing decisional uncertainty, improving knowledge, increasing treatment readiness and readiness for palliative care consultation, and its acceptability among patients. Methods: Forty patients with advanced cancer hospitalized at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center watched a video decision aid about PRT and palliative care. Patients' conceptual and logistical knowledge of PRT, decisional uncertainty, treatment readiness, and readiness for palliative care consultation were assessed before and after watching the video with a six-item knowledge survey, the decisional uncertainty subscale of the Decisional Conflict Scale, and Likert instruments to assess readiness to accept radiation treatment and/or palliative care consultation, respectively. A postvideo survey assessed the video's acceptability among patients. Results: After watching the video, decisional uncertainty was reduced (28.3 vs. 21.7; P = 0.02), knowledge of PRT improved (60.4 vs. 88.3; P < 0.001), and PRT readiness increased (2.0 vs. 1.3; P = 0.04). Readiness for palliative care consultation was unchanged (P = 0.58). Patients felt very comfortable (70%) watching the video and would highly recommend it (75%) to others. Conclusion: Among hospitalized patients with advanced cancer, a video decision aid reduced decisional uncertainty, improved knowledge of PRT, increased readiness for PRT, and was well received by patient viewers. © 2019 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Keywords: advanced cancer; decision aid; palliative radiation therapy; video tool
Journal Title: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume: 58
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0885-3924
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2019-12-01
Start Page: 1048
End Page: 1055.e2
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.08.014
PUBMED: 31472276
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8132595
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
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