The role of patients' families in treatment decision-making among adult cancer patients in the Sultanate of Oman

There are limited numbers of studies available in Middle Eastern Arabic countries regarding participation of family members in cancer treatment decision-making (TDM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of family members' in TDM among adult Omani cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two main teaching hospitals. All adult Omani patients who were diagnosed with cancer and their nominated family members were invited to participate. A tool developed by Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium was used to identify the level of family involvement in TDM. A weighted kappa (k) was significant (p<.001) and showed almost full agreement between the patients' experiences and their preferences (k=.98) and between family members' experiences and their preferences (k=.96) of family involvement in TDM. Binary logistic regression showed significant family-controlled TDM if the patient communicated less with oncologists (OR=9.89; 95% CI: 3.79-25.81); financial dependence of the patient on their families (OR=6.21; 95% CI: 2.19-17.10); and advanced stages of cancer at the time of diagnosis (OR=3.10; 95% CI: 1.37-7.03). Oncologists in Oman should be aware of the strong family involvement in TDM to allow a successful cancer treatment.