Patient centeredness and decision-making in localised prostate cancer

Background. Quality of care is essential for health services research. Therefore, our patients' preferences are of major importance and this can be illustrated by decision-making in localised prostate cancer. Material and methods. A total of 349 patients reported on their preferred mode of decision-making, on their habits of information procurement, and on their feeling of being well informed. Moreover, we tried to objectify their actual knowledge. Their mean age was 63.0 years and mean PSA level 9.4 ng/ml. As 40% had a higher level of education we investigated possible influences of this feature by applying the chi-square test. Results. Half of the patients preferred to share the treatment decision and 39% wanted to choose for themselves considering their physician's recommendation. The most important sources of information were treating physicians (88%) and the Internet (77%). All patients felt well informed and 94% knew their latest PSA count. Patients with a higher level of education had better knowledge of their clinical data and used the Internet more (84 vs 71%; p=0.007). Conclusions. Our patients actively take part in medical decision-making and thereby contribute significantly to everyday health care. Based on this aspect, the whole scope of urology is developed as a promising field of health services research.