Shared decision-making for older patients with cancer

Research

The incidence of cancer in the Netherlands is increasing, and more than two-thirds (67.6%) of new cancer diagnoses occur in people aged 65 years and older. As a result, an increasing number of older patients face complex treatment decisions. Their health and social needs are often more complex, they are more vulnerable to treatment-related complications, and they may prioritize quality of life or maintaining independence over life prolongation. Therefore, treatment decisions should take into account not only disease characteristics, but also patients' physical, psychological, and social circumstances, as well as their personal goals and preferences. In this study, these aspects are referred to as ‘contextual information’.

Within the Dutch healthcare system, general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses are uniquely positioned to provide this contextual information because they often know their patients over a long period of time. This enables them to share valuable contextual information that may complement the disease-specific information available in the hospital. Therefore, this PhD project, Shared Decision-Making for Older Patients with Cancer, explores whether and how contextual information from primary care can be integrated into treatment decision-making, thereby supporting personalized care for older patients with cancer.

Relevance

Societal relevance

As our society is ageing, more older people are being diagnosed with cancer and living with its consequences. This leads to a growing number of complex treatment decisions.

Using contextual information can reduce both over- and under-treatment and strengthen patient-centred care. This improves the quality of care for older patients and ensures that treatment decisions better reflect their needs and circumstances.