Decision making in pediatric oncology: Views of parents and physicians in two European countries

2017 
ABSTRACTBackground: Decision making is a highly complex task when providing care for seriously ill children. Physicians, parents, and children face many challenges when identifying and selecting from available treatment options. Methods: This qualitative interview study explored decision-making processes for children with cancer at different stages in their treatment in Switzerland and Romania. Results: Thematic analysis of interviews conducted with parents and oncologists identified decision making as a heterogeneous process in both countries. Various decisions were made based on availability and reasonableness of care options. In most cases, at the time of diagnosis, parents were confronted with a “choiceless choice”—that is, there was only one viable option (a standard protocol), and physicians took the lead in making decisions significant for health outcomes. Parents' and sometimes children's role increased during treatment when they had to make decisions regarding research participation and aggressiv...
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