Decision-making Preferences of Jordanian Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine Jordanian women's preferences regarding participation in decision-making related to their breast cancer treatment.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. A convenience sample of 156 Jordanian women, who had a confirmed, first-time diagnosis of breast cancer within 18 months prior to the study and had undergone treatment at three hospitals in Central and Northern Jordan, was recruited for the study. A modified version of the Control Preferences Scale was used for data collection.

Results: More than half of the participants (57 %) wanted the physician to make the decision about the appropriate treatment, approximately 33 % wanted to share the decision with the physician, and only 10 % wanted to make their own decisions. Participants aged more than 50 years, those with secondary school education or less, and those who were undergoing treatment at the public or teaching hospital under study were more likely to prefer a passive role in decision-making regarding treatment.

Conclusions: Although more than half of the participants involved in this study preferred to play a passive role, their preferences in this regard varied. This highlighted the importance of individually assessing patients' preferences regarding participation in the decision-making process and provision of information that is tailored according to each patient's needs.