Decision‐Making Capacity for Chemotherapy and Associated Factors in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Lung Cancer

Background The objective of this study was to assess decision‐making capacity in patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer, clinical factors associated with impaired capacity, and physicians’ perceptions of patients’ decision‐making capacity. Materials and Methods We recruited 122 patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer. One hundred fourteen completed the assessment. All patients were receiving a combination of treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, chemo‐radiotherapy, or targeted therapy). Decision‐making capacity was assessed using the MacArthur Competence Tool for Treatment. Cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and frailty were also evaluated. Physicians’ perceptions were compared with the ascertainments. Results Twenty‐seven (24%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 16–31) patients were judged to have incapacity. Clinical teams had difficulty in judging six (22.2%) patients for incapacity. Logistic regression identified frailty (odds ratio, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.13–10.8) and cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 5.45; 95% CI, 1.26–23.6) as the factors associated with decision‐making incapacity. Brain metastasis, emphysema, and depression were not associated with decision‐making incapacity. Conclusion A substantial proportion of patients diagnosed with lung cancer show impairments in their capacity to make a medical decision. Assessment of cognitive impairment and frailty may provide appropriate decision‐making frameworks to act in the best interest of patients. Implications for Practice Decision‐making capacity is the cornerstone of clinical practice. A substantial proportion of patients with cancer show impairments in their capacity to make a medical decision. Assessment of cognitive impairment and frailty may provide appropriate decision‐making frameworks to act in the best interest of patients.