Decision-Making Styles and Levels of Involvement Concerning Breast Reconstructive Surgery: An Israeli Study

Purpose/Objectives: To address decision-making styles among breast cancer survivors considering breast reconstruction.

Design: A primary analysis of a cross-sectional sample among survivors who chose to have breast reconstruction to examine correlations among patient age, decision-making style, and the level of involvement of decision making.

Setting: Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel.

Sample: 70 women who had undergone breast reconstruction surgery in the past five years.

Methods: Participants completed decision-making style and demographic questionnaires and an assessment of their level of involvement in the decision-making process.

Main Research Variables: Level of involvement in decision making, decision-making model between provider and patient, and decision-making styles were examined.

Findings: No correlation was found between four main decision-making styles and patient age or the extent of patient decision-making involvement and age. A statistically significant correlation was found between the level of involvement in decision making and the decision-making style of the patient.

Conclusions: Nurses should assess patient decision-making styles to ensure maximum patient involvement in the decision-making process based on personal desires regardless of age.

Implications for Nursing: Nurses working in breast cancer care must address the decision-making process of patients diagnosed with breast cancer, including the choice to undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Nurses should understand the complex factors that influence a woman’s decision-making style to best help with the decision.