Approaches to Shared Decision-Making for the Oncology Team: Webinar Series-Engaging Patients in Healthcare Choices: An Overview of Patient Decision Aids

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar, part of ACCC’s six-part series on shared decision making in oncology, focused on patient decision aids and how they support cancer care choices. Mary Politi explained that decision aids make treatment decisions explicit, present evidence-based options and outcomes, and help patients clarify what matters most to them. She emphasized that these tools are not the same as patient education; they are meant to support trade-offs when more than one reasonable option exists. Research shows decision aids improve knowledge, reduce decisional conflict, and increase patient involvement, though they may slightly increase consultation time.<br /><br />She also reviewed standards for developing quality decision aids, including readability, pilot testing, and certification criteria from organizations such as the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Examples included one-page option grids, preference-sensitive tools, and longer pre-visit preparation aids.<br /><br />Frank DeLaRama then described how a prostate cancer shared decision-making tool is used in practice at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. His nurse navigator model helps patients review staging, treatment options, side effects, quality-of-life impacts, and personal goals. He noted that the process improves satisfaction and provides patients and families with structured support.<br /><br />The Q&A covered reading level, pilot testing, multilingual adaptation, implementation strategies, tumor board use, and how practices can measure decision-aid adoption.

Asset Caption

Mary Politi, PhD
Professor, Department of Surgery
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Frank dela Rama, RN, MS, AOCNS, AGN-BC

Prostate Cancer Nurse Navigator
Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Sutter Health, Palo Alto, CA

The role and efficacy of Patient Decision Aids in cancer care delivery will be discussed, along with the impact these tools have on shared decision-making and patient satisfaction. You’ll see examples of decision aids used in practice and communication strategies for familiarizing patients with these tools.

Keywords

shared decision making

patient decision aids

oncology

cancer treatment choices

decision aids standards

prostate cancer

patient involvement

quality of life