Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41272447›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Exploring family perspectives in geriatric oncology: a triadic approach to shared decision-making - a qualitative study.

Bea L Dijkman, Marie Louise Luttik, Wolter Paans, Barbara L van Leeuwen, Hanneke van der Wal-Huisman

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Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Bea L DijkmanDepartment of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. box 30.001, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands. b.l.dijkman@umcg.nl.
Marie Louise LuttikResearch Group Nursing Diagnostics and Family Care, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, P.O.Box 3109, Groningen, 9701 DC, The Netherlands.
Wolter PaansResearch Group Nursing Diagnostics and Family Care, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, P.O.Box 3109, Groningen, 9701 DC, The Netherlands.
Barbara L van LeeuwenDepartment of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. box 30.001, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands.
Hanneke van der Wal-HuismanDepartment of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. box 30.001, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn geriatric oncology, family members frequently accompany patients during medical consultations, providing emotional and practical support while participating in shared decision-making (SDM). Family involvement in SDM can facilitate the decision-making process but also pose challenges for healthcare professionals. Additionally, much of the SDM deliberation occurs outside the clinical setting, making it important to understand family dynamics to ensure treatment decisions align with the patient's values and preferences. Therefore this study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of family members regarding their involvement in decision-making processes for older patients with cancer, and the subsequent impact on roles and family dynamics.

methodsQualitative open in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 family members of 11 patients with cancer of 70 years and older in the Netherlands. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach.

resultsFour interconnected themes emerged. The first theme, "Roles" revealed that family members often provide both practical and informational support, and sometimes act as advocates for the patient. The second theme, "Family Values and Beliefs," highlighted a strong sense of unconditional and reciprocal support within families, emphasizing the core value of caring for one another. Third, "Family Dynamics," encompasses: keeping everyone informed, dividing caregiver tasks, dealing with disappointment and sadness, managing different opinions, and coping with uncertainty. Finally, "Dilemma's" describes: family members balancing their own opinions with the patient's preferences, reconciling hope and fear, weighing trust in medical professionals against their own judgment, and balancing caregiving responsibilities with their personal lives. These dilemmas were shaped by roles the family members assumed, the underlying values and beliefs, and family dynamics.

conclusionThe findings of this interview study provide valuable insights into the complex roles that family members of older patients with cancer play in medical consultations and treatment decision-making and their dilemma's. These roles are deeply influenced by family values and dynamics, which can significantly shape decision-making processes and outcomes. Understanding these factors can help healthcare professionals as it highlights the evolving responsibilities of family caregivers and the importance of supporting them in navigating the intricacies of treatment decisions while maintaining respect for patient autonomy.

Indexed as

Decision MakingDecision Making, SharedFamilyGeriatricsMedical OncologyNeoplasmsQualitative ResearchAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsFamily membersFamily systemsGeriatric oncologyOlder patients with cancerShared decision makingTreatment decision makingTriadic decision making

Identifiers

PMID41272447
PMCPMC12853902

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.