title: Knowledge, attitudes and decision-making preferences of men considering participation in the TROG RAVES Prostate Cancer Trial (TROG 08.03).
abstract: The RAVES (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 08.03) randomised controlled trial (RCT), compares adjuvant radiotherapy with early salvage radiotherapy in men with high risk histopathological features at prostatectomy. The RAVES Decision Aid study evaluates the utility of a decision aid for men considering participation in the RAVES RCT. We report the RAVES Decision Aid study participants' attitudes and knowledge regarding RCTs, decision-making preferences and decisional-conflict.
  
  
  
  Baseline questionnaires assessed knowledge and attitudes towards RCTs and RAVES RCT. Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of knowledge were examined. Involvement in decision-making and difficulties with the decision-making process were assessed using validated tools.
  
  
  
  127 men (median age=63years) were recruited through urologists (n=91) and radiation oncologists (n=36). Men preferred collaborative (35%) or semi-active (35%) decision-making roles. Most (>75%) felt the RAVES RCT was worthwhile and important with participation being wise. However, nearly half had high decisional-conflict regarding participation. Scores of objective knowledge regarding RCTs and RAVES RCT were low.
  
  
  
  Most men with high-risk histopathological features at prostatectomy desire active involvement in decision-making regarding further management. Despite positive attitudes towards RCTs and the RAVES RCT, there were gaps in knowledge and high decisional-conflict surrounding participation.
authors: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Tesson
authors: Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Australia. Electronic address: purnima.sundaresan@sydney.edu.au.
authors: Puma
authors: P
authors: Sundaresan
authors: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: Brittany
authors: B
authors: Ager
authors: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: Phyllis
authors: P
authors: Butow
authors: Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Australia.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Kneebone
authors: Pain Management Research Institute, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Costa
authors: Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Woo
authors: Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Pearse
authors: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), The University of Sydney, Australia; Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: Ilona
authors: I
authors: Juraskova
authors: Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Australia.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Turner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
keywords: Attitudes; Clinical trials; Decisional conflict; Informed consent; Knowledge; Radiotherapy