The effect of an online support group on patients׳ treatment decisions for localized prostate cancer: An online survey.
To analyze the effect of an online support group (OSG) on the final treatment decision for localized prostate cancer.



We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of the largest German prostate cancer OSG between July and October 2013. The online survey comprised 127 questions covering sociodemographic and disease-related information, decision-making habits, health-related quality of life, distress, depression, and anxiety. The primary outcome was to measure the effect of an OSG on the final treatment decision.



We analyzed the completed questionnaires from 686 patients with prostate cancer, 200 (29.2%) of whom revised their initial treatment decision. After revising their decisions, these patients more frequently underwent external beam radiation therapy (44.5% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.048) and active surveillance (10.5% vs. 3.7%, P<0.001) and less frequently underwent radical prostatectomy (52.5% vs. 74.9%, P<0.001). Engaging longer in the OSG, demanding a more active role in the decision-making process, and participating in a conventional support group were independently associated with revision of the initial treatment decision.



Of all patients participating in the OSG, 29.2% revised their initial treatment decision. We estimate that this phenomenon may affect 17,000 patients with prostate cancer in the United States of America every year. This finding highlights the importance of OSGs for the health care system. The patient׳s desired degree of involvement in decision-making should be routinely clarified to adjust counseling accordingly.



www.germanctr.de, number DRKS00005086.
Department of Urology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: johannes.huber@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Johannes
J
Huber
Department of Urology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Philipp
P
Maatz
Department of Urology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Tanja
T
Muck
Department of Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Bastian
B
Keck
Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Hans-Christoph
HC
Friederich
Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Wolfgang
W
Herzog
Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Andreas
A
Ihrig
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Bias; Decision-making; Online support group; Peer-to-peer support; Prostate cancer