Psychometric assessment of the Chinese version of the decisional conflict scale in Chinese women making decision for breast cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The decisional conflict scale (DCS) measures the perception of uncertainty in choosing options, factors contributing to decision conflict and effective decision making. This study examined the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the DCS in Hong Kong Chinese women deciding breast cancer (BC) surgery. METHOD: A Chinese version of the 16-item DCS was administered to 471 women awaiting initial consultation for BC diagnosis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the factor structure. Internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validities of the factor structure were assessed. RESULTS: CFA revealed the original factor structure of the DCS showed poor fit to this sample. Exploratory factor analysis revealed an alternative three-factor structure, Informed and Values Clarity, Uncertainty and Effective Decision and Support, was optimal. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.51 to 0.87. Correlations between decision-making difficulties and satisfaction with medical consultation demonstrated acceptable convergent validity. Construct validity was supported by correlations between decision regret and psychological distress. Discriminant validity was supported by differentiation between delaying and non-delaying decision-makers. CONCLUSIONS: The three-factor DCS-14 is a valid and practical measure for assessing decisional conflict in deciding BC surgery. It shows good potential for use in assessing decision satisfaction for women diagnosed with BC.

Does the use of shared decision-making consultation behaviors increase treatment decision-making satisfaction among Chinese women facing decision for breast cancer surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent to which breast surgical consultations used shared decision making (SDM), identify factors associated with use of SDM, and assess if using SDM increases decision-making satisfaction. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-three video-recorded diagnostic-treatment decision consultations between breast surgeons and women with breast cancer were assessed using the Decision Analysis System for Oncology (DAS-O) coding system designed for assessing SDM behaviors. Women completed a questionnaire at pre-consultation, one-week post-consultation and one-month post-surgery. Patient outcomes included decision conflict, patient satisfaction with medical consultation, and decision regret. RESULTS: Overall, the level of SDM behaviors was low. The extent of SDM behavior within consultation was related to greater consultation duration (p<0.001), more than one treatment being offered (p<0.001), and fewer questions raised by patients/companions (p<0.05). While use of SDM consultation did not influence post-consultation decision conflict, it increased satisfaction with information given and explained, patients' feelings of trust and confidence in their surgeons, and reduced post-surgical decision regret. CONCLUSION: These breast surgical consultations mostly adopted informed treatment decision-making approaches. Using SDM improved patient consultation and decision satisfaction. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study findings highlight a need to reinforce the importance of SDM in consultations among breast surgeons.