Ietje Perfors

106 Chapter 5 Abstract Objective Improving shared decision making (SDM) enables more tailored cancer treatment decisions. We evaluated a Time Out Consultation (TOC) with the general practitioner (GP), between cancer diagnosis and treatment decision, which aims at supporting SDM and improving continuity of primary care. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a TOC. Design A randomised controlled trial. Participants Newly diagnosed patients with curable cancer (breast, lung, colorectal, gynaecologic, melanoma) from four Dutch hospitals. Intervention A TOC with the GP between cancer diagnosis and treatment decision. Outcomes Primary outcome is perceived SDM and secondary outcomes are information provision and self-efficacy. Results Of the 154 randomised patients (control n=77, intervention n=77), 75%were female. The mean age was 61 (SD±11.9) years. In the intervention group 80.5% (n=62) had a TOC, of which 82.3% (n=51) took place after treatment decision. Perceived SDM was lower in the intervention group (-8.9 (95% CI, 0.6-17.1)). Among those with a TOC before treatment decision (n=11), perceived SDM was comparable to the control group (66.5±27.2 vs 67.9±26.1).