Skip to main content

Decision Making in the Family

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Health Decision Science

Abstract

Beginning with an overview of bioethical theories, this chapter identifies the ways in which cancer communication research and practice can inform understanding and knowledge of bioethics. Contributions of communication research to informed consent and decision making are discussed in the context of palliative care. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the ethical obligations of cancer communication researchers including the need to be sensitive concerning whose values are being upheld or promoted, and the difference between persuasive and coercive use of effective models of communication.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allaire, A. S., Labrecque, M., et al. (2011). Barriers and facilitators to the dissemination of DECISION+, a continuing medical education program for optimizing decisions about antibiotics for acute respiratory infections in primary care: A study protocol. Implement Science, 6, 3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, H., Espinosa, E., et al. (2001). Evaluation of the chemotherapy patient monitor: An interactive tool for facilitating communication between patients and oncologists during the cancer consultation. European Journal of Cancer Care (Engl), 10(2), 115–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Back, M. F., & Huak, C. Y. (2005). Family centred decision making and non-disclosure of diagnosis in a South East Asian oncology practice. Psychooncology, 14(12), 1052–1059.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ballard-Reisch, D. S., & Letner, J. A. (2003). Centering families in cancer communication research: Acknowledging the impact of support, culture and process on client/provider communication in cancer management. Patient Education and Counseling, 50(1), 61–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beuchamps, T., & Childress, J. F. (2008). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Botelho, R. J., Lue, B. H., et al. (1996). Family involvement in routine health care: A survey of patients’ behaviors and preferences. The Journal of Family Practice, 42(6), 572–576.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brittain, K., Loveland-Cherry, C., et al. (2012). Sociocultural differences and colorectal cancer screening among African American men and women. Oncology Nursing Forum, 39(1), 100–107.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. B., Brett, P., et al. (1998). Roles and influence of people who accompany patients on visits to the doctor. Canadian Family Physician, 44, 1644–1650.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. F., Butow, P. N., et al. (2004). Seeking informed consent to cancer clinical trials: Describing current practice. Social Science and Medicine, 58(12), 2445–2457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bucher, J. A., Loscalzo, M., et al. (2001). Problem-solving cancer care education for patients and caregivers. Cancer practice, 9(2), 66–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charles, C., Gafni, A., et al. (1999). Decision-making in the physician-patient encounter: Revisiting the shared treatment decision-making model. Social Science and Medicine, 49(5), 651–661.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clayman, M. L., Roter, D., et al. (2005). Autonomy-related behaviors of patient companions and their effect on decision-making activity in geriatric primary care visits. Social Science and Medicine, 60(7), 1583–1591.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Degner, L. S., & Sloan, J. A. (1992). Decision making during serious illness: What role do patients really want to play? Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 45(9), 941–950.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DuBenske, L. L., Gustafson, D. H., et al. (2010). Web-based cancer communication and decision making systems: Connecting patients, caregivers, and clinicians for improved health outcomes. Medical Decision Making, 30(6), 732–744.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Eggly, S., Penner, L. A., et al. (2012). Patient, companion, and oncologist agreement regarding information discussed during triadic oncology clinical interactions. Psychooncology, 22, 637–645.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, S., Hall, A., et al. (2000). The medical interaction process system (MIPS): An instrument for analysing interviews of oncologists and patients with cancer. Social Science and Medicine, 50(4), 553–566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fried, T. R., Bradley, E. H., et al. (2005). Unmet desire for caregiver-patient communication and increased caregiver burden. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(1), 59–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fried, T. R., Bradley, E. H., et al. (2003). Valuing the outcomes of treatment: Do patients and their caregivers agree? Archives of Internal Medicine, 163(17), 2073–2078.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaugler, J. E., Hanna, N., et al. (2005). Cancer caregiving and subjective stress: A multi-site, multi-dimensional analysis. Psycho-Oncology, 14(9), 771–785.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbar, R., & Gilbar, O. (2009). The medical decision-making process and the family: The case of breast cancer patients and their husbands. Bioethics, 23(3), 183–192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Given, B. A., Given, C. W., et al. (2001). Family support in advanced cancer. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 51(4), 213–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Given, C. W., Given, B., et al. (1992). The caregiver reaction assessment (CRA) for caregivers to persons with chronic physical and mental impairments. Research in Nursing & Health, 15(4), 271–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleason, M. E., Harper, F. W., et al. (2009). The influence of patient expectations regarding cure on treatment decisions. Patient Education and Counseling, 75(2), 263–269.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gotcher, J. (1993). The effects of family communication on psychosocial adjustment of cancer patients. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 21(2), 176–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gotcher, J. (1995). Well-adjusted and maladjusted cancer patients: An examination of communication variables. Health Communication, 7(1), 21–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, A. (2008). Relational autonomy or undue pressure? Family’s role in medical decision-making. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 22(1), 128–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Indeck, B., & Bunney, M. (1997). Community resources. In V. T. DeVita, S. Hellman Jr., & S. A. Rosenberg (Eds.), Cancer: Principles and practice of oncology (5th ed., pp. 2891–2904). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R. A., Steeves, R., & Williams, I. (2010). Family and friend interactions among African-American men deciding whether or not to have a prostate cancer screening. Urologic Nursing, 30(3), 189–193.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kahana, E., & Kahana, B. (2003). Patient proactively enhancing doctor-patient-family communication in cancer prevention and care among the aged. Patient Education and Counseling, 50(1), 67–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kimberlin, C., Brushwood, D., et al. (2004). Cancer patient and caregiver experiences: Communication and pain management issues. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 28(6), 566–578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristjanson, L. J., Atwood, J., et al. (1995). Validity and reliability of the family inventory of needs (FIN): Measuring the care needs of families of advanced cancer patients. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 3(2), 109–126.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristjanson, L. J., Leis, A., et al. (1997). Family members’ care expectations, care perceptions, and satisfaction with advanced cancer care: Results of a multi-site pilot study. Journal of Palliative Care, 13(4), 5–13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krones, T., Keller, H., et al. (2008). Absolute cardiovascular disease risk and shared decision making in primary care: A randomized controlled trial. Annals of Family Medicine, 6(3), 218–227.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kuczewski, M. G. (1996). Reconceiving the family: The process of consent in medical decision making. Hastings Center Report, 26(2), 30–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lobchuk, M. M., McPherson, C. J., et al. (2012). A comparison of patient and family caregiver prospective control over lung cancer. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(5), 1122–1133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Man-Son-Hing, M., Laupacis, A., et al. (1999). A patient decision aid regarding antithrombotic therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 282(8), 737–743.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazanec, P., & Bartel, J. (2002). Family caregiver perspectives of pain management. Cancer Practice, 10(Suppl 1), S66–S69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, M. T., Hughes, M. T., et al. (2009). Development and validation of the family decision-making self-efficacy scale. Palliative Support Care, 7(3), 315–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Northouse, L., Kershaw, T., et al. (2005). Effects of a family intervention on the quality of life of women with recurrent breast cancer and their family caregivers. Psychooncology, 14(6), 478–491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor, A. M., Bennett, C. L., et al. (2009). Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3), CD001431.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor, P. J., Sperl-Hillen, J. M., et al. (2011). Impact of electronic health record clinical decision support on diabetes care: A randomized trial. The Annals of Family Medicine, 9(1), 12–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oberst, M. T., Thomas, S. E., et al. (1989). Caregiving demands and appraisal of stress among family caregivers. Cancer Nursing, 12(4), 209–215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ohlen, J., Balneaves, L. G., et al. (2006). The influence of significant others in complementary and alternative medicine decisions by cancer patients. Social Science and Medicine, 63(6), 1625–1636.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prohaska, T. R., & Glasser, M. (1996). Patients’ views of family involvement in medical care decisions and encounters. Research on Aging, 18, 52–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rim, S. H., Hall, I. J., et al. (2011). Considering racial and ethnic preferences in communication and interactions among the patient, family member, and physician following diagnosis of localized prostate cancer: Study of a US population. International Journal of General Medicine, 4, 481–486.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E., & Kincaid, D. L. (1981). Communication networks: Towards a new paradigm for research. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, J. H. (1999). Book review: Communication and the cancer patient: Information and truth. Journal of Ethics, Law and Aging, 5(1), 71–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, J., Townsend-Rocchicciolli, J., et al. (2011). A process of decision making by caregivers of family members with heart failure. Research Theory Nursing Practice, 25(1), 55–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayers, S. L., White, T., et al. (2006). Family involvement in the care of healthy medical outpatients. Family Practice, 23(3), 317–324.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, C., Putnik, K., et al. (2006). Medical decision-making of the patient in the context of the family: Results of a survey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 14(9), 952–959.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schilling, L. M., Scatena, L., et al. (2002). The third person in the room: Frequency, role, and influence of companions during primary care medical encounters. Journal of Family Practice, 51(8), 685–690.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sebern, M. D. (2008). Refinement of the shared care instrument-revised: A measure of a family care interaction. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 16(1), 43–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siminoff, L. A., Gordon, N. H., et al. (2006). A decision aid to assist in adjuvant therapy choices for breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 15(11), 1001–1013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siminoff, L. A., & Step, M. M. (2005). A communication model of shared decision making: Accounting for cancer treatment decisions. Health Psychology: Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 24(4 Suppl), S99–S105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siminoff, L. A., & Step, M. M. (2011). A comprehensive observational coding scheme for analyzing instrumental, affective, and relational communication in health care contexts. Journal of health communication, 16(2), 178–197.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Siminoff, L. A., Wilson-Genderson, M., et al. (2010). Depressive symptoms in lung cancer patients and their family caregivers and the influence of family environment. Psycho-Oncology, 19(12), 1285–1293.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Siminoff, L. A., Zyzanski, S. J., et al. (2008). The cancer communication assessment tool for patients and families (CCAT-PF): A new measure. Psycho-Oncology, 17(12), 1216–1224.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, D., Loh, A., et al. (2007). Measuring (shared) decision-making—A review of psychometric instruments. Zeitschrift Arztliche Fortbildung Qualitatssich, 101(4), 259–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiegle, G., Al-Sukhni, E., et al. (2012). Patient decision aids for cancer treatment: Are there any alternatives? Cancer, 119, 189–200.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Street, R. L, Jr., Makoul, G., et al. (2009). How does communication heal? Pathways linking clinician-patient communication to health outcomes. Patient Education and Counseling, 74(3), 295–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Street, R. L, Jr., & Millay, B. (2001). Analyzing patient participation in medical encounters. Health Communication, 13(1), 61–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Towle, A., & Godolphin, W. (1999). Framework for teaching and learning informed shared decision making. BMJ (Clinical Research ed.), 319, 766–771.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh-Burke, K. (1992). Family communication and coping with cancer: Impact of the we can weekend. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 10(1), 63–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yun, Y. H., Lee, M. K., et al. (2011). Use of a decision aid to help caregivers discuss terminal disease status with a family member with cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29(36), 4811–4819.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeliadt, S. B., Penson, D. F., et al. (2011). Provider and partner interactions in the treatment decision-making process for newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer. BJU International, 108(6), 851–856. (discussion 856–857).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, A. Y., & Siminoff, L. A. (2003). Silence and cancer: Why do families and patients fail to communicate? Health Communication, 15(4), 415–429.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, A. Y., Zyzanski, S. J., et al. (2011). Ethnic differences in the caregiver’s attitudes and preferences about the treatment and care of advanced lung cancer patients. Psycho-Oncology, 21, 1250–1253.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura A. Siminoff .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Siminoff, L.A., Thomson, M.D. (2016). Decision Making in the Family. In: Diefenbach, M., Miller-Halegoua, S., Bowen, D. (eds) Handbook of Health Decision Science. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3486-7_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics