Impact of Decision Aids for Shared Decision-Making for Patients with Early Stage Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
TL;DR
Overall, Patient Decision Aids were associated with better knowledge, less decisional conflict and greater satisfaction with the decision-making process, and some studies also suggested benefits for women with lower health literacy or socioeconomic status, especially when the aids used pictures or simple language.
Abstract
Simple Summary Women with early stage breast cancer often need to choose between several treatment options, and these decisions can be difficult and stressful. Patient Decision Aids are tools designed to support these choices by providing clear, evidence-based information and helping patients think about what matters most to them. In this systematic review, we analyzed 26 studies involving 5174 women with early stage breast cancer to evaluate whether these aids improve decision-making, knowledge, psychological well-being and quality of life, while also gathering qualitative data regarding the acceptability and feasibility of these tools. We also dedicated a special focus to undeserving or lower health literacy populations. Overall, Patient Decision Aids were associated with better knowledge, less decisional conflict and greater satisfaction with the decision-making process. Some studies also suggested benefits for women with lower health literacy or socioeconomic status, especially when the aids used pictures or simple language. However, effects on anxiety, depression and quality of life were less consistent. These findings suggest that Patient Decision Aids can be useful tools in breast cancer care, but their impact depends on how they are designed and implemented.