Decision making and prostate cancer treatment selection: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the issues surrounding decision making regarding prostate cancer treatment.


METHODS
Journal articles, abstracts, and selected findings from one prospective grounded theory research study.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple factors are involved in the selection of prostate cancer treatment, such as individual disease-specific data, age, personal values, vicarious and personal cancer experiences, and the physician-patient relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate information regarding each treatment option delivered by experts in their respective fields is necessary for informed decision making. A more multidisciplinary approach regarding discussion of treatment options is needed. Nurses play a pivotal role in facilitating discussion among family members and assisting patients to make a decision that balances their personal values with accurate information regarding treatment outcomes.
O'Rourke
M E
ME
Department of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, PO Box 26172, Greensboro, NC 27402-26172, USA.
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology