title: A survey of breast cancer physicians regarding patient involvement in breast cancer treatment decisions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Shared breast cancer treatment decision-making between patients and physicians increases patient treatment satisfaction and compliance and is influenced by physician-related factors. Attitudes and behaviors about patient involvement in breast cancer treatment decisions and treatment-related communication were assessed by specialty among breast cancer physicians of women enrolled in the Breast Cancer Quality of Care Study (BQUAL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 275 BQUAL physicians identified, 50.0% responded to the survey. Most physicians spend 46-60 min with the patient during the initial consult visit and 51.5% report that the treatment decision is made in one visit. Oncologists spend more time with new breast cancer patients during the initial consult (p = 0.021), and find it more difficult to handle their own feelings than breast surgeons (p = <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast surgeons and oncologists share similar attitudes and behaviors related to patient involvement in treatment decision-making, yet oncologists report more difficulty managing their own feelings during the decision-making process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States. gah28@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Grace Clarke
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Hillyer
authors.forename: Dawn L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hershman
authors.forename: Lawrence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Kushi
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lamerato
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ambrosone
authors.forename: Dana H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bovbjerg
authors.forename: Jeanne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mandelblatt
authors.forename: Sargam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.forename: Alfred I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Neugut
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations