Abstract
There are limited numbers of studies available in Middle Eastern Arabic countries regarding participation of family members in cancer treatment decision-making (TDM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of family members’ in TDM among adult Omani cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two main teaching hospitals. All adult Omani patients who were diagnosed with cancer and their nominated family members were invited to participate. A tool developed by Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium was used to identify the level of family involvement in TDM. A weighted kappa (k) was significant (p <.001) and showed almost full agreement between the patients’ experiences and their preferences (k =.98) and between family members’ experiences and their preferences (k =.96) of family involvement in TDM. Binary logistic regression showed significant family-controlled TDM if the patient communicated less with oncologists (OR = 9.89; 95% CI: 3.79–25.81); financial dependence of the patient on their families (OR = 6.21; 95% CI: 2.19–17.10); and advanced stages of cancer at the time of diagnosis (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.37–7.03). Oncologists in Oman should be aware of the strong family involvement in TDM to allow a successful cancer treatment.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e12845 |
Journal | European Journal of Cancer Care |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2018 |
Keywords
- Oman
- cancer
- decision-making
- family members
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology