Opportunities and limitations of shared decision making in multidisciplinary tumor conferences with patient participation – A qualitative interview study with providers

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine opportunities and limitations of shared decision making in multidisciplinary tumor conferences with patient participation from the providers’ perspective in breast and gynecological cancer centers.MethodsSemi-structured guideline-based expert interviews were conducted with providers from breast and gynecological cancer centers with and without patient participation in multidisciplinary tumor conferences. Interviews were transcribed, anonymized and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe providers (n = 30) reported that some process steps of shared decision making can be implemented in limited form and under certain conditions in multidisciplinary tumor conferences with patient participation. Above all, patients can potentially ask questions and contribute individual additional information and their preferences.ConclusionThis study contributes first insights into the implementation of shared decision making in multidisciplinary tumor conferences with patient participation. From the providers’ perspective, the implementation of shared decision making seems difficult under the current circumstances. Further studies, using patient experiences, participative observations or interventional designs, are required.Practice ImplicationsDespite the limited implementation of shared decision making in tumor conferences, patient participation can be advantageous as it can allow patients to ask questions and contribute individual additional information as well as their preferences.