1. Inventory of oncologists' unmet needs for tools to support decision-making about palliative treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer
- Author
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Miriam Koopman, Ellen G. Engelhardt, Dóra Révész, Cornelis J. A. Punt, Ewout W. Steyerberg, Hans J. Tamminga, Veerle M.H. Coupé, Henrica C. W. de Vet, Bregje D. Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Oncology, CCA - Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Public Health, Epidemiology and Data Science, APH - Quality of Care, VU University medical center, Public and occupational health, APH - Aging & Later Life, CCA - Cancer Treatment and quality of life, APH - Mental Health, AGEM - Re-generation and cancer of the digestive system, and APH - Methodology
- Subjects
Questionnaires ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Decision support system ,Palliative care ,Palliative treatment ,Colorectal cancer ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Clinical Decision-Making ,Decision Support Systems ,Health Informatics ,lcsh:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,Research Support ,Health informatics ,03 medical and health sciences ,Clinical ,0302 clinical medicine ,Quality of life (healthcare) ,Colorectal Neoplasms/secondary ,SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Journal Article ,Humans ,Quality (business) ,Non-U.S. Gov't ,Health policy ,media_common ,Oncologists ,business.industry ,Metastatic colorectal cancer ,Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ,Health Policy ,Palliative Care ,medicine.disease ,Decision Support Systems, Clinical ,Computer Science Applications ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,lcsh:R858-859.7 ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,business ,Colorectal Neoplasms ,Decision support tools ,Research Article - Abstract
Background Decision-making about palliative care for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) consists of many different treatment-related decisions, and there generally is no best treatment option. Decision support systems (DSS), e.g., prognostic calculators, can aid oncologists’ decision-making. DSS that contain features tailored to the needs of oncologists are more likely to be implemented in clinical practice. Therefore, our aim is to inventory colorectal cancer specialists’ unmet decision support needs. Methods We asked oncologists from the Dutch colorectal cancer group (DCCG), to participate in an online inventory questionnaire on their unmet decision support needs. To get more in-depth insight in required features of the DSS they need, we also conducted semi-structured telephone interviews. Results Forty-one oncologists started the inventory questionnaire, and 27 of them completed all items. Of all respondents, 18 were surgeons (44%), 22 were medical oncologists (54%), and 28 (68%) had more than 10 years of experience treating mCRC. In both the inventory questionnaire and interviews, respondents expressed a need for an overarching DSS incorporating multiple treatment options, and presenting both the treatment benefits and harms. Respondents found it relevant for other outcomes, such as cost-effectiveness of treatment or quality of life, to be incorporated in DSS. There was also a wish for DSS incorporating an up-to-date “personalized” overview of the ongoing trials for which a specific patient is eligible. Conclusions Experienced oncologists indicate that their treatment advice is currently almost solely based on the available clinical guidelines. They experience a lack of good quality DSS to help them personalize their treatment advice. New tools integrating multiple treatment options and providing a broad range of clinically relevant outcomes are urgently needed to stimulate and safeguard more personalized treatment decision-making.
- Published
- 2018