An empowerment information intervention improved participation in treatment decision making in men with recently diagnosed prostate cancer
Objective
To determine whether assisting men with recently diagnosed prostate cancer to obtain relevant information increases their participation in treatment decision making, and decreases anxiety and depression.
Design
Randomised controlled trial with 6 week follow up.
Setting
A community urology clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Patients
60 consecutive men (mean age 68 y) with a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer, who had not been told their diagnosis; had not had their initial treatment consultation; were able to speak, read, and write English; and showed no evidence of mental confusion. 87% were married, 72% were retired, and 58% had less than a grade 12 education.
Intervention
Men allocated to the intervention (n=30) received 5 brochures containing information on, for example, the disease process, treatment options, and diagnostic tests, and were instructed on how to find information in the brochures. A list of potential questions for discussion with the physician was reviewed, new questions raised by the patient were added, and a copy of the final list was given …
