Preferred and actual participation roles in operation treatment decision making of patients with colorectal cancer

PurposeTo investigate the preferred and actual participation levels of colorectal cancer patients and their families in treatment decision-making.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire administered to colorectal cancer patients hospitalized in the general surgical wards in two of the upper first-class hospitals in Beijing between February and July 2013.ResultsA total of 113 questionnaires were analyzed. For the families of colorectal cancer patients, the concordance rate of their preferred and actual participation levels in treatment decision-making was 60.2% and 62.8% for the patients themselves. Patients with stoma and male patients preferred a passive role compared to those without stoma and female patients (x² = 7.978, p < 0.05; x² = 9.854, p < 0.05).ConclusionsOver 40% of colorectal cancer patients preferred a passive role in treatment decision-making. We suggest that communication between physicians and patients should be strengthened to accommodate the patient's desired level of involvement.