Use of a decision aid to help caregivers discuss terminal disease status with a family member with cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Link to article at PubMed

Use of a decision aid to help caregivers discuss terminal disease status with a family member with cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

J Clin Oncol. 2011 Dec 20;29(36):4811-9

Authors: Yun YH, Lee MK, Park S, Lee JL, Park J, Choi YS, Lim YK, Kim SY, Jeong HS, Kang JH, Oh HS, Park JC, Kim SY, Song HS, Ro J, Lee KS, Heo DS, Hong YS

Abstract
PURPOSE: We tested whether a decision aid explaining how to discuss the approach of death with a family member with cancer would help family caregivers decide to discuss a terminal prognosis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned caregivers of terminally ill patients with cancer to a group that received a video and a companion workbook that showed either how they can discuss the prognosis with their patient (experimental arm) or how cancer pain can be controlled (control arm). At baseline and 1 month, we evaluated the decision to discuss terminal prognosis as the primary outcome. At 0, 1, 3, and 6 months, we assessed the caregivers' decisional conflict and satisfaction as secondary outcomes using a Decision Conflict Scale (DCS).
RESULTS: We found no difference in changes in the decision to discuss terminal prognosis between the two groups. Conflict (P = .003), uncertainty (P = .019), and value clarity (P = .007) subscale scores and total DCS score (P = .008) improved from baseline to 1 month significantly more in the experimental arm than in the control arm. Over 6 months, the significant between-group differences continued for the conflict (P = .031), uncertainty (P = .014), and value clarity (P = .039) subscale scores and total DCS score (P = .040).
CONCLUSION: Decision aids can help caregivers, with the aid of trained professionals, to communicate with patients about their terminal illness.

PMID: 22105823 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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