Creation of a new clinical framework – why women choose mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy

BMC Medical Research Methodology

卷:18

Gary Groot¹  Jeffrey Gu² 

[1] Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan;

[2] Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan;

关键词: Framework;    Breast cancer;    Decision-making;    Mastectomy;    Breast conserving therapy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12874-018-0533-7

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Clinical medicine has lagged behind other fields in understanding and utilizing frameworks to guide research. In this article, we introduce a new framework to examine why women choose mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy in early stage breast cancer, and highlight the importance of utilizing a conceptual framework to guide clinical research. Methods The framework we present was developed through integrating previous literature, frameworks, theories, models, and the author’s past research. Results We present a conceptual framework that illustrates the central domains that influence women’s choice between mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy. These have been organized into three broad constructs: clinicopathological factors, physician factors, and individual factors with subgroups of sociodemographic, geographic, and individual belief factors. The aim of this framework is to provide a comprehensive basis to describe, examine, and explain the factors that influence women’s choice of mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy at the individual level. Conclusion We have developed a framework with the purpose of helping health care workers and policy makers better understand the multitude of factors that influence a patient’s choice of therapy at an individual level. We hope this framework is useful for future scholars to utilize, challenge, and build upon in their own work on decision-making in the setting of breast cancer. For clinician-researchers who have limited experience with frameworks, this paper will highlight the importance of utilizing a conceptual framework to guide future research and provide an example.

【 授权许可】

Unknown