title: Women's experiences of making healthcare decisions about their breast cancer: A phenomenological study.
abstract: There are few studies about how healthcare decisions are made for women with breast cancer in China and this knowledge is vital, both to further develop person-centered health care and to ensure that women have a voice in their healthcare decisions. This phenomenological study explored the meaning of women's lived experiences of making healthcare decisions about their breast cancer in China. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of eight women with breast cancer. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analytic method. The results of this study identified four themes: authority and expertise, lack of knowledge, family support, and Chinese cultural and social influences. Women were deferential to medical authority and perceived expertise, but they wanted to be involved to a greater degree in healthcare decisions. It is important for health professionals to optimize women's participation in decision-making by removing barriers and advocating on their behalf.
authors.affiliation: HOPE School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Mo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan.
authors.forename: Teresa E
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0673-1763
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Editor International Nursing Review, International Council of Nurses, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turale
authors.affiliation: HOPE School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Marcia A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Petrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D003469:Culture; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: China; breast cancer; decision-making; lived experience; phenomenology