A scoping review: Understanding brain tumor patients' decisional needs and preferences

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Background
Informed, value-based healthcare decisions depend on individuals' decisional needs and preferences. Adequately addressing them may improve decision experience and quality. This scoping review aims to assess study findings on decisional needs and preferences of patients with a brain tumor (PwBT) (glioma, meningioma, brain metastases) throughout the disease trajectory, including findings on decision aids and interventions.

Method
The methodological framework by Arksey & O-Malley for scoping reviews was used. A systematic search was performed in PubMed.

Results
We identified 20 studies on decisional needs and preferences of PwBT and 6 studies on decision aids. Most patients prefer a collaborative or active role in decision-making, and they value quality of life (QoL), functional independence, and survival as treatment outcomes. Patients require tailored amounts and types of information and need support maintaining hope, establishing trust, and with diminished medical decision-making abilities. Decision aids focused on information provision or shared decision-making (SDM), with mixed results on patient participation and satisfaction.

Discussion
SDM could help address PwBT's needs and preferences. QoL and functional independence are crucial yet underexplored factors in decision-making. Further research is needed to better integrate individual patient outcome preferences into SDM and to evaluate tools that support informed and value-based decisions.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbernpaf056
Pages (from-to)933-951
Number of pages19
JournalNeuro-Oncology Practice
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2025

Keywords

  • Brain tumor patients
  • Decision aids
  • Decisional needs
  • Decisional preferences
  • Scoping review

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