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Doctors' approaches to decision support in counseling patients with localized prostate cancer: an Asian perspective


Citation

Cheong, Ai Theng and Lee, Ping Yein and Ng, Chirk Jenn and Lee, Yew Kong and Ong, Teng Aik and Abdullah, Khatijah Lim and Abdul Razack, Azad Hassan (2016) Doctors' approaches to decision support in counseling patients with localized prostate cancer: an Asian perspective. Sains Malaysiana, 45 (6). pp. 941-947. ISSN 0026-6039

Abstract

There are many treatment options for localized prostate cancer, and there is clinical equipoise in relation to the treatment outcomes. This study aimed to explore doctors’ approaches to decision support in counselling patients with localized prostate cancer in a country with a less established system of support and care delivery for cancer treatment. Four in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted with seven government policy makers/consultant urologists, three oncologists, four private urologists and six urology trainees in Malaysia between 2012 and 2013. Doctors facilitated the treatment decision by explaining about the disease and the treatment options, which included monitoring, side effects and complications of each treatment option. Paper-based (charts and diagram drawings) or electronic (ipad apps and websites) illustrations and physical models were used as patient education aids. Further reading materials and websites links were often provided to patients. Patients were given time till subsequent follow up to decide on the treatment and family involvement was encouraged. Referral to other healthcare professionals (oncologist, radiotherapist or other urologist) for second opinion was offered to the patients. The doctors would recommend patients to speak to prostate cancer survivors for peer support but official support groups were not easily accessible. This study highlighted a multi-faceted approach to support patients with localized prostate cancer in making a treatment decision. It not only involved the doctors (urologist or oncologist) themselves, but also empowered the patients and their social network to support the decision making process.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Publisher: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Keywords: Decision making support; Prostate cancer; Qualitative; Treatment
Depositing User: Mohd Hafiz Che Mahasan
Date Deposited: 14 Aug 2017 08:44
Last Modified: 16 Oct 2018 02:37
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/55555
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

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