A NEW study on superficial basal cell carcinoma treatment decisions highlights that patient decision aids may subtly shift treatment preferences, with keywords such as superficial basal cell carcinoma, patient decision aid, non-invasive treatment, and effective decision-making underscoring the research. In a prospective observational study, patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma were divided into two groups: one utilizing a patient decision aid and a control group. The investigation aimed to determine if this decision aid influences a preference for non-invasive treatment over surgery and whether it improves patients’ satisfaction with their treatment decisions three months post-treatment.
The study observed that 48.6% of patients in the decision aid group opted for non-invasive treatment, compared to 40.8% in the control group. Although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.255), the findings suggest a slight trend towards favoring non-invasive approaches when patients are provided with additional decision support. Furthermore, assessments of effective decision-making using the Decisional Conflict Scale revealed a marginal, non-significant improvement in the decision aid group, with an adjusted between-group mean difference of -4.10 (p = 0.082, effect size 0.3) favoring those who utilized the decision aid.
For healthcare professionals and doctors, these results underline the potential of patient decision aids to foster more personalized treatment discussions. While the data did not show a statistically significant shift in treatment choice or decisional conflict, the trend towards improved decision-making suggests that incorporating patient decision aids into clinical practice might enhance shared decision-making processes. This nuanced benefit could empower patients by providing clearer insights into the risks and benefits of both surgical and non-invasive treatment options for superficial basal cell carcinoma.
The study emphasizes that even slight shifts in patient preference can be meaningful in clinical settings, where personalized care and patient autonomy remain paramount.
Reference: Van Delft LCJ et al. Surgery or Non-invasive Treatment for Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma: Does a Patient Decision Aid Help to Make a Personalized Treatment Decision? Acta Derm Venereol. 2025;105:adv41914.
