Making an informed decision of Korean cancer patients: the discrepancy between a patient’s recall of information and the information needed for acquisition of radiotherapy informed consent

Introduction To give informed consent, a patient needs to sufficiently understand the information provided by a physician to decide among treatment options. Although shared decision-making is becoming an important aspect of patient-centered care, little is known about decision-making by cancer patients in Korea. Objectives This study assessed Korean cancer patients’ understanding of treatment goals and the need to obtain further information after a physician obtained informed consent for radiotherapy. Methods In this prospective study, doctors and patients completed questionnaires independently after informed consent for radiotherapy had been obtained. The questionnaires for the doctors and patients were comprised of matched items regarding treatment aims and the need for further information. Results The study enrolled 103 cancer patients scheduled for radiotherapy. The proportion of respondents who stated that the intent of treatment was to bring about a cure was 80.6% among the patients (83 of 103 patients) and 53.4% (55 of 103 patients) among the doctors ( p = 0.000). The proportion of respondents who believed that the aim was prolongation of life was 16.5 and 1.9%, respectively ( p = 0.000). Regarding the need for further information, 42.7% (44/103) of the patients did not want further information because they had faith in the physicians’ medical expertise. Conclusion Many Korean cancer patients misunderstand the aims of treatment and half of participants do not want further information. Physicians should address whether specific interventions can solve these barriers so that Korean cancer patients can make truly autonomous treatment decisions.