Abstract
Introduction: The global population of older adults with cancer
is increasing, posing care challenges for healthcare professionals
(HCPs) due to comorbidity, polypharmacy, and frailty. In response
to these complexities and limited treatment evidence, HCPs’
attitudes can play a larger role in their treatment decisions, yet
research on this topic is scarce.
Objective: This scoping review aims to explore and describe the
attitudes of HCPs in the context of treatment decision-making for
older adults with cancer.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted on HCP attitudes in
treating older adults with cancer. PubMed, Embase, Medline, and
EBSCO CINAHL Complete were searched. From 5161 references, 21
studies were included (9 qualitative, 6 quantitative, 5 mixed
methods). A two-step screening process was implemented, conducted by two reviewer teams.
Results: Five patterns emerged, illustrating how HCP attitudes
influence consultation dynamics through the reinforcement of
assumptions related to patient factors (i.e age, frailty), and
consequent communication with older patients. HCPs’ background
profession (e.g. nurse, oncologist) and practice environment also
shaped attitudes and treatment decision-making.
Conclusions: This review highlights the significance of HCP
attitudes in the treatment decision making process for older cancer
patients. The findings show that the role of attitudes in decisionmaking should be considered in the development of tailored
educational resources for geriatric-centred communication skills to
best support shared decision-making practices for this population.
is increasing, posing care challenges for healthcare professionals
(HCPs) due to comorbidity, polypharmacy, and frailty. In response
to these complexities and limited treatment evidence, HCPs’
attitudes can play a larger role in their treatment decisions, yet
research on this topic is scarce.
Objective: This scoping review aims to explore and describe the
attitudes of HCPs in the context of treatment decision-making for
older adults with cancer.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted on HCP attitudes in
treating older adults with cancer. PubMed, Embase, Medline, and
EBSCO CINAHL Complete were searched. From 5161 references, 21
studies were included (9 qualitative, 6 quantitative, 5 mixed
methods). A two-step screening process was implemented, conducted by two reviewer teams.
Results: Five patterns emerged, illustrating how HCP attitudes
influence consultation dynamics through the reinforcement of
assumptions related to patient factors (i.e age, frailty), and
consequent communication with older patients. HCPs’ background
profession (e.g. nurse, oncologist) and practice environment also
shaped attitudes and treatment decision-making.
Conclusions: This review highlights the significance of HCP
attitudes in the treatment decision making process for older cancer
patients. The findings show that the role of attitudes in decisionmaking should be considered in the development of tailored
educational resources for geriatric-centred communication skills to
best support shared decision-making practices for this population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | SIOG2024-3-P-063 |
| Pages (from-to) | S53 |
| Journal | Journal of Geriatric Oncology |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 7 (Suppl.1) |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Oct 2024 |
| Event | SIOG 2024 Annual Conference: International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) - Montreal, Canada Duration: 17 Oct 2024 → 19 Oct 2024 |