Das Gesundheitswesen
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Das Gesundheitswesen · Aug 2009
[The role of next of kin in medical decision-making--empirical findings from haemato-oncological diseases].
Models of shared decision making in the patient-doctor relationship are attracting increasing attention. A recent study focuses on the so far inadequate attention paid to the role of next of kin. It was examined in which decision areas next of kin of haematological cancer patients were included, further what support next of kin could provided and finally which factors encouraged the participation of next of kin in that process. ⋯ It is clear that family members, especially spouses and partners, consider it meaningful to participate in medical decisions affecting their loved ones, and that they want to be able to do this in the clinical context. One limitation that must be mentioned is that due to the small size of the sample and an approach that focused on initial exploration, the results should be interpreted as a point of orientation. Further studies should look in more detail at how inner family structures play a role in patient-doctor shared decision-making, as well as the concrete conditions and implications that play a role in family members' participation in this process, i.e., adherence to "doctor's orders" and possible decision-making conflicts on the part of the patient.