Destiny Cromer on the Impact of Patient Understanding on Treatment Decisions

Destiny Cromer, ANP-BC, AOCNP, of Texas Oncology, discusses why it is so important that a patient fully understands their prognosis and the intent of their treatment.

Patients who receive chemotherapy late in life often have more side effects and poorer quality of life. This can limit them from doing what is most important to them in their last days. If the patients had a better understanding of their prognosis or their treatment, would they make different decisions on their treatment? The Oncology Care Model requires that patients receive both written and verbal information on their prognosis and the intent of their treatment which could better prepare them for the choices.