My research: a PhD student explains
Bettina Mølri Knudsen
The aim was to investigate how timing and format of patient decision aids influence patient involvement in treatment decisions in cancer care.
What is the title of your thesis?
Supporting shared decision making in oncology: The impact of timing and format of patient decision aids.
At which department and/or research unit did you complete your PhD?
Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark.
Who was your principal supervisor?
Associate professor Lea Lund.
What question did you aim to answer with your thesis?
The aim was to investigate how timing and format of patient decision aids influence patient involvement in treatment decisions in cancer care.
What did you find?
We found that a digital patient decision aid provided before the consultation reduced patients' uncertainty about treatment decisions, while a paper-based decision aid used during the consultation resulted in higher levels of observer-rated shared decision making.
Overall, the findings suggest that patient decision aids need to be actively incorporated into the dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals to support patient involvement in treatment decisions.
How did you do it?
The thesis was based on a literature review and two randomised controlled trials involving patients with breast or colorectal cancer.
I investigated the use of digital and paper-based patient decision aids through questionnaires completed by patients and physicians, as well as observer ratings of shared decision making based on audio-recorded consultations.
In addition, I conducted focus group interviews with physicians and nurses to explore their experiences of using patient decision aids in clinical consultations.
How can your research be applied (in the clinic, society, etc.)?
As digital solutions become increasingly widespread in healthcare, the findings can help inform the development and implementation of decision support that both prepares patients and facilitates discussions about treatment options.
The thesis highlights that digital tools should not simply be made available to patients but should also be actively integrated into clinical consultations to ensure that patients' questions, needs, and preferences are part of shared treatment decisions.