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01-01-2006 | Original Article

Method of Presenting Oncology Treatment Outcomes Influences Patient Treatment Decision-Making in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Authors: Robert C. G. Martin II, MD, Sheri A. McGuffin, MAE, Lynne M. Roetzer, BA, Troy D. Abell, PhD, MPH, Jamie L. Studts, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2006

Abstract

Background

The methods used to communicate relevant outcomes in oncology to patients will likely influence treatment decisions. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of three different methods of describing the efficacy of therapy on treatment decisions regarding management of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods

Participants reviewed a clinical scenario and randomly received one of three ways of describing efficacy of chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: (1) relative risk reduction, (2) tumor response rate, and (3) median overall survival. They received the same clinical scenario but were presented four treatment options: (1) observation and supportive care, (2) chemotherapy, (3) surgery, and (4) surgery and chemotherapy and the accompanying median overall survival estimate.

Results

Participants included 102 preclinical medical students. In the first scenario, 85% chose chemotherapy in the relative risk reduction group, as did 88% of the tumor response rate group, but significantly fewer participants did so in the median overall survival group (35%; P < .001). In the second scenario, there was a significant difference in treatment preferences, with 4% of participants choosing observation/supportive care. None chose chemotherapy only, 19% chose surgery only, and 77% chose surgery plus chemotherapy (P < .001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that different methods of describing oncology treatment outcomes associated with therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver can have a dramatic effect on patient treatment decisions.

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Title: Method of Presenting Oncology Treatment Outcomes Influences Patient Treatment Decision-Making in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Robert C. G. Martin II, MD
Sheri A. McGuffin, MAE
Lynne M. Roetzer, BA
Troy D. Abell, PhD, MPH
Jamie L. Studts, PhD
Publication date: 01-01-2006
Publisher: Springer New York
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 1/2006
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.03.086

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Method of Presenting Oncology Treatment Outcomes Influences Patient Treatment Decision-Making in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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