Key Findings
The study found that video declarations (ViDecs) from patients with advanced cancer emphasized decision-making factors crucial to the advance care planning (ACP) process rather than specific medical interventions. Participants often adopted a ‘give it a try’ perspective influenced by their perceptions of prognosis.
Background
Advance care planning (ACP) is essential for patients with advanced cancer, yet many struggle to articulate their values and preferences. Traditional advance directive forms often fall short in capturing the nuanced priorities of patients, highlighting the need for innovative tools like video declarations.
Study Design
The study involved a qualitative thematic content analysis of video and audio declarations from 112 participants aged over 65 with advanced cancer across 36 oncology clinics in three healthcare systems. The focus was on how goals of care preferences were expressed and the factors influencing decision-making.
Results
Participants’ ViDecs revealed a focus on maximizing beneficial medical care and the impact of experiential factors, such as witnessing others’ dying processes. Clear preferences for specific medical interventions were often absent, indicating a need for more guided discussions.
Conclusion
ViDecs serve as a valuable patient-centered tool, enabling better preparation for future healthcare decisions aligned with patients’ values. They highlight the importance of discussing decision-making factors in ACP conversations.