Shared decision making in radiation oncology: Implications for patient satisfaction.
6610 Background: Shared decision making (SDM) has been linked to healthcare quality outcomes, including patient satisfaction. However, the importance of SDM has not been evaluated in radiation oncology. This study aims to determine the association between patient-perceived SDM and patient satisfaction during radiation therapy (RT). We also explore patient desire for and perception of control during RT and its relationship to patient satisfaction. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 305 patients undergoing RT at an urban academic cancer center. Patients self-reported measures of satisfaction and control during the last week of RT. SDM was measured using a 3-item validated instrument. The relationships between SDM, control over treatment decisions, and satisfaction were evaluated using chi-2 analyses. Results: The 305 participants had a mean age of 59.8 (range 18-87) and were 47.5% female. Ethnicities included white (75.7%), black (19.7%), Asian (2.6%), and Hispanic (0.7%). Tumor types represented were breast (19.7%), prostate (17.7%), head and neck (18%), gastrointestinal (15.1%), lung (13.4%), and other cancers (16.1%). Ninety (31.3%) patients reported experiencing SDM and 227 (76.2%) reported feeling very satisfied with their treatments. There were no significant differences in these outcomes based on demographic or clinical characteristics. Patients who experienced SDM were more likely to be satisfied with the care provided by their radiation oncologist (84.4% vs. 71.4%, p <0.02). Furthermore, the perception of having control in treatment decisions was associated with increased satisfaction regardless of whether the patient preferred control or not (Table). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the value of SDM in radiation oncology. Regardless of a patient's desire for control, it is important for physicians to engage patients in the decision making process. Both physician- and patient-targeted interventions may aid in improving SDM and, in turn, overall satisfaction among radiation oncology patients. [Table: see text]