Q2 Reader Poll Results: Shared Decision Making
During March through June 2019, the CLL Society conducted a poll among readers of The CLL Society Tribune. There were 84 complete responses with 94% of the responses from patients and 6% of the responses from caregivers. The respondents included 60% who are receiving treatment and 40% who are not yet receiving treatment.
Shared Decision Making (SDM) is a patient-centered approach that keeps the patients’ values and preferences front and center. We asked our readers’ the following questions to determine their familiarity with the approach and their participation in the practice.
Our survey tells us that 52% respondents were not familiar with Shared Decision Making (SDM) and 48% are familiar with this approach. The majority of respondents who are not familiar with SDM were interested in learning more.
50% of the respondents proactively research treatment options in addition to listening to the options provided by their doctors. People who responded “Other” also stated that they discuss decisions with their family; decisions are made 50/50 with their doctor; or they are on watch and wait and not yet in treatment.
The majority of respondents feel they are an active participant in decision making about their CLL treatment.
Finally, we asked respondents to answer the following question:
When having made or should I need to make a shared medical decision,
The majority of respondents understood the risks of options provided to them and which risks and benefits are important to them. Respondents feel they have support to make the best decision for themselves.
Originally published in The CLL Tribune Q2 2019.
