The Importance of Shared Decision Making in Cancer Care

Thomas Butler, M.D., medical oncologist at the University of Southern Alabama, Mitchell Cancer Institute, discusses the importance of shared decision making in cancer care.

To ensure that both the patient and the health care team is making a joint decision regarding treatment, it is crucial that both parties have an understanding of the benefits and side effects of treatment. Butler also mentioned that this conversation is important because quality of life should be a key factor in treatment decision making — especially when cure is not an option.