Translating OS Data Into Patient Conversations: Balancing Benefit and Burden

Communicating Survival Benefits and Treatment Trade-Offs

Main Discussion Topics:

• Strategies for explaining survival benefits to patients
• Incorporating patient goals into treatment discussions
• Avoiding preconceived notions about patient preferences based on age or other factors

Key Points for Physicians:

• Focus on patient-specific goals (eg, attending important life events) when discussing treatments
• Recognize that patient preferences don’t always align with physician assumptions
• Consider results from patient surveys that reveal preferences for quality of life over extended therapy

Notable Insights:

Data from a Chinese survey showed that over 70% of patients, family members, and doctors would prefer osimertinib monotherapy over combination therapy despite a 9-month delay in recurrence with the latter.

Clinical Significance:

Effective shared decision-making requires understanding individual patient goals and preferences rather than making assumptions based on demographic factors or physician biases.