Shared Decision-making in Head and Neck Surgery

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, vol. 146, pp. 839

Abstract

Importance: Shared decision-making is a partnership between physicians and patients whereby patient values and preferences are incorporated with the best medical evidence. Shared decision-making may reduce decisional conflict, improve value-choice congruence, and increase patient involvement. Despite potential benefit in many key areas of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, both clinical and research focuses on shared decision-making are scarce. Head and neck surgical oncology is of particular interest owing to the frequency by which preference-sensitive decisions must be made. Information used in this review was obtained between January 1 and February 1, 2020. Observations: Various conceptual models have been developed in an attempt to define the concept of shared decision-making. More than 40 instruments have endeavored to measure the construct of shared decision-making. However, in head and neck surgery, few studies to date have explicitly done so. Situations of clinical equipoise, such as in the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules and in the treatment of laryngeal cancer, are frequent. In contrast, value-option incongruence may occur when patient values do not align with the most oncologically sound treatment choice, such as when the resection and reconstruction of oral cancer may leave patients with significant sequelae. Several patient decision aids have been developed to improve shared decision-making in specific clinical scenarios, for example, in considering total laryngectomy or primary chemoradiotherapy. Conclusions and Relevance: Despite its potential benefit, there is a dearth of research and clinical applications of shared decision-making in head and neck surgery. Shared decision-making represents an area of substantial need in this regard, and additional efforts should be put forth.

Authors 8

1. David W.A. Forner

   Dalhousie University · Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

2. Christopher W. Noel

   University Health Network · University of Toronto

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

3. Andrew G. Shuman

   University of Michigan

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

4. Paul Hong

   Dalhousie University · Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

5. Martin J. Corsten

   Dalhousie University · Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

6. Valeria E. Rac

   University Health Network · Toronto General Hospital Research Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

7. Arwen H. Pieterse Aachen Medical Decision Making Department of Biomedical Data Sciences

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Medical Decision Making, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

8. David Paul Goldstein

   University Health Network · University of Toronto

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada