Development of a patient-centred decision aid for rehabilitation in the advanced cancer setting

Advanced cancer and its treatment can lead to physical function declines and disability. Physical function is the ability to perform activities of daily living and patients with advanced cancer describe that addressing losses in physical function is a top care priority. Cancer rehabilitation is designed to improve physical function, yet available services are underutilized by patients with advanced cancer. Poor patient and healthcare provider (HCP) communication and ineffective shared decision making about rehabilitation are key reasons for this care gap. Decision aids (DAs) are tools that enhance shared decision making, so patients know the decision to be made, understand options and outcomes, and have clarity on their personal values. Currently, a DA for cancer rehabilitation does not exist. The proposed research will develop a DA for cancer rehabilitation by determining patient decision support needs, designing a DA prototype, and evaluating the DA’s usability. The DA is a simple and low-cost tool that may improve patient and HCP communication about cancer rehabilitation, so that the top care priorities of patients with advanced cancer are better addressed within the current healthcare system.