A "time out consultation" in primary care for elderly patients with cancer: Better treatment decisions by structural involvement of the general practitioner

Abstract

Treatment decisions in elderly patients with cancer are complex. Not only the type and stage of the tumor, but also comorbidity, medical background and personal contextual factors need to be taken into account. The individual treatment perspective, life expectancy and quality of life are important determinants of the final treatment decision for the elderly cancer patient. Because of their longstanding relation with the elderly and their holistic approach we think that general practitioners should be involved, and we suggest that every elderly patient with cancer should have a 'time out consultation' with the general practitioner to prepare for the final treatment choice.

Keywords: elderly cancer patient; patient information; shared decision making; treatment decisions.