Decision-Making Experience of Older Patients with Cancer in Choosing Treatment: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze and synthesize the findings of qualitative studies related to the decision-making experience of older patients with cancer in choosing treatment.Methods: We used the seven steps of Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnography to analyze and synthesize selected qualitative studies. Seven databases were used to search the literature that explored the decision-making experiences of older patients with cancer in choosing treatment: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Research Informations Sharing Service (RISS), Koreastudies Information Service System (KISS), and National Assembly Library.Results: The final 11 studies were included in the analysis. Three themes emerged as result of synthesizing: “Checking the feasibility of treatment in one’s own life”, “The constant weighing up the gains and losses of treatment”, and “Having meanings to life”.Conclusion: This study provides an in-depth understanding of treatment decision-making experiences of older patients with cancer and highlights the complex factors that influence their treatment decision-making process. This may contribute to the development of interventions that help older patients with cancer choose treatment during the decision-making process.