Exploring the role of the oncologist in promoting shared decision making during treatment planning for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia

Exploring the role of the oncologist in promoting shared decision making during treatment planning for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia
Research Letter to the Editor
Marissa LoCastro, Marielle Jensen-Battaglia, Chandrika Sanapala, Rachel Rodenbach, Jason H. Mendler, Jane Liesveld, Eric Huselton, Kah Poh Loh
Journal of Geriatric Oncology, June 2024
Introduction
Shared decision making (SDM), a process that promotes both patient autonomy and engagement, is associated with increased patient knowledge and decreased decisional regret [1]. Due to acute myeloid leukemia’s (AML) sudden onset and frequent need for rapid management decisions, achieving SDM in older patients is challenging [2]. Older adults with AML also have various vulnerabilities (e.g., functional and cognitive impairments) which further complicate decision making. This study evaluated oncologists’ current practices to promote SDM among older adults with AML using a communication tool designed to systematically elicit patient preferences regarding treatment planning.