SHARED decision-making is widely recommended to improve patient-reported outcomes for those considering lung cancer screening (LCS), yet new research suggests communication may not significantly impact feelings of regret or distress. A longitudinal study assessed how different aspects of patient-centered communication influenced decision regret and emotional distress following low-dose CT (LDCT) imaging for LCS.
Researchers followed patients across three healthcare systems, surveying 343 individuals at multiple points up to one year after screening. They measured decision satisfaction, regret, distress, and key communication factors such as how well patients felt understood and informed.
Two to four weeks after LDCT imaging, 58.9% of patients reported mild regret, while only 2.3% experienced moderate to severe regret. Decision satisfaction scores averaged 9.82 out of 10 for those without regret, but dropped significantly to 6.13 for those with moderate or severe regret. Emotional distress remained generally low, even for patients with detected nodules—only 6% reported moderate or greater distress.
Surprisingly, the study found no significant link between patient-centered communication and regret or distress levels. While shared decision-making is designed to improve patient experience, the findings suggest that communication strategies alone may not be enough to reduce the psychological impact of screening decisions.
The study underscores the complexity of patient emotions in LCS and raises questions about how to further minimize regret and distress. Future research may need to explore additional factors beyond communication, such as patient expectations, risk perception, and post-screening support.
Reference: Slatore CG et al. Longitudinal Assessment of Communication With Patient-Reported Outcomes During Lung Cancer Screening. JTO. 2025;167(3):876-91.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
