Shared decision-making for cancer care among racial and ethnic minorities: a systematic review

Am J Public Health. 2013 Dec;103(12):e15-29. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301631. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

Abstract

To assess decision-making for cancer treatment among racial/ethnic minority patients, we systematically reviewed and synthesized evidence from studies of "shared decision-making," "cancer," and "minority groups," using PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and EMBASE. We identified significant themes that we compared across studies, refined, and organized into a conceptual model. Five major themes emerged: treatment decision-making, patient factors, family and important others, community, and provider factors. Thematic data overlapped categories, indicating that individuals' preferences for medical decision-making cannot be authentically examined outside the context of family and community. The shared decision-making model should be expanded beyond the traditional patient-physician dyad to include other important stakeholders in the cancer treatment decision process, such as family or community leaders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Bibliometrics
  • Decision Making*
  • Family
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Minority Groups*
  • Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Patient Participation*
  • Racial Groups*