Accession Number:

ADA455401

Title:

Decision Making of Women with Recurrent Breast Cancer

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 10 Sep 2001-30 Sep 2005

Corporate Author:

MICHIGAN UNIV ANN ARBOR

Personal Author(s):

• Pierce, Penny F.

Report Date:

2005-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

22.0

Abstract:

The intention of this study is to close the gaps in our knowledge regarding the decision-making experiences and challenges women face when breast cancer recurs. The specific aims of this qualitative study are to 1 provide a robust description of decision making processes of women confronting recurrent disease, 2 describe preferences and values instrumental in the selection of treatment options e.g., clinical trials, alternative therapies, adjuvant therapies, or no treatment, 3 describe the manner in which previous treatment decision making experiences are, or are not influential, and lastly, 4 describe the appraisals of decision processes and outcomes to identify those factors that contribute to, or impede, quality decision making. Fifty women recently diagnosed with recurrent disease were recruited to participate in a semistructured interview to describe her decision making experiences. The Michigan Assessment of Decision Style Pierce, 1995 was administered to provide a measure of pre-decision behavior. These data reveal an emerging description of the psychology of making repeated therapeutic decisions for recurrent disease. The phenomenon of Looking Forward Looking Back captures this unique decision experience which is influenced by both an optimistic and hindsight bias that appears to preserve psychological well being.

Descriptors:

• *STRESS(PSYCHOLOGY)
• *DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• *BREAST CANCER
• DECISION MAKING
• CLINICAL TRIALS
• QUALITY
• WOMEN

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE