Patient participation in medical decision making among breast cancer patients--a comparison of breast centre care units and non-centre hospitals

摘要

This study investigated the extent of involvement of breast cancer patients in medical decisions in comparison between certified breast cancer centres vs. non-centres. Data on the participation in medical decision making were collected in a retrospective cross-sectional design from 652 breast cancer patients. 9 different dimensions of participation were analysed. In the descriptive analysis, there is only one significant difference in participation between breast centres and non-centres (dimension: time of treatment). In multivariate analysis, the treatment in a breast cancer centre was a predictor for increased patient participation in 3 dimensions of participation in medical decisions (p <0.05). In particular, younger age and good health are of statistical significance for participation in medical decision making. There is a higher participation of patients in breast centres in only few subdimensions of medical decision making, but not in general.