Knowledge, attitudes and decision-making preferences of men considering participation in the TROG RAVES Prostate Cancer Trial (TROG 08.03)

Stephanie Tesson; Puma Sundaresan; Brittany Ager; Phyllis Butow; Andrew Kneebone; Daniel Costa; Henry Woo; Maria Pearse; Ilona Juraskova; Sandra Turner

doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2016.01.016

Knowledge, attitudes and decision-making preferences of men considering participation in the TROG RAVES Prostate Cancer Trial (TROG 08.03)

Radiother Oncol. 2016 Apr;119(1):84-90. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.01.016. Epub 2016 Feb 9.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), The University of Sydney, Australia.
² Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Australia. Electronic address: purnima.sundaresan@sydney.edu.au.
³ Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Australia.
⁴ Pain Management Research Institute, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia.
⁵ Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Australia.
⁶ Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
⁷ Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), The University of Sydney, Australia; Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia.
⁸ Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Australia.

PMID: 26867970
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.01.016

Abstract

Background and purpose: The RAVES (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 08.03) randomised controlled trial (RCT), compares adjuvant radiotherapy with early salvage radiotherapy in men with high risk histopathological features at prostatectomy. The RAVES Decision Aid study evaluates the utility of a decision aid for men considering participation in the RAVES RCT. We report the RAVES Decision Aid study participants' attitudes and knowledge regarding RCTs, decision-making preferences and decisional-conflict.

Materials and methods: Baseline questionnaires assessed knowledge and attitudes towards RCTs and RAVES RCT. Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of knowledge were examined. Involvement in decision-making and difficulties with the decision-making process were assessed using validated tools.

Results: 127 men (median age=63years) were recruited through urologists (n=91) and radiation oncologists (n=36). Men preferred collaborative (35%) or semi-active (35%) decision-making roles. Most (>75%) felt the RAVES RCT was worthwhile and important with participation being wise. However, nearly half had high decisional-conflict regarding participation. Scores of objective knowledge regarding RCTs and RAVES RCT were low.

Conclusions: Most men with high-risk histopathological features at prostatectomy desire active involvement in decision-making regarding further management. Despite positive attitudes towards RCTs and the RAVES RCT, there were gaps in knowledge and high decisional-conflict surrounding participation.

Keywords: Attitudes; Clinical trials; Decisional conflict; Informed consent; Knowledge; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Decision Making*
Decision Support Techniques
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*