The information needed by Canadian early-stage prostate cancer patients for decision-making: Stable over a decade

ObjectiveTo compare information needs for decision-making by similar cohorts of Canadian early-stage prostate cancer patients, at two time points a decade apart.MethodsTwo patient groups (1st—1996, 2nd—2005), diagnosed within the previous 2 years, were surveyed. They rated the importance of having each of 92 questions addressed, using options: essential, desired, no opinion, or avoid. For each essential or desired question, respondents indicated their reasons for wanting the question addressed: to understand, decide, plan, or other.ResultsThe two groups had similar response rates and demographics. The mean number of questions rated essential for decision-making/patient trended toward more by the later group (13 questions vs 19 questions) but, more importantly, there was wide variation within each group (0–68 questions vs 0–92 questions). The percentage of essential ratings for decision-making per question was highly correlated between the groups. Although almost every question was essential for decision-making to >1 patient, no question was essential to >50% in either group.ConclusionAt both times, most Canadian early-stage prostate cancer patients wanted some information specifically for decision-making, however, both the amount and exact details varied considerably amongst patients.Practice implicationDecision support for these patients should continue to accommodate wide variation in their information needs.