Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the decision-making experiences of patients and their partners or primary caregiver who opted for experimental active surveillance (instead of standard surgery) for the treatment of esophageal cancer.
METHODS: Seventeen couples participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on couples\' joint experiences as well as their individual experiences. Preferred and perceived role in the treatment decision-making process was assessed using the adjusted version of the Control Preferences Scale, and perceived influence on the treatment decision was measured using a visual analog scale.
RESULTS: Couples reflected on the decision-making process as a positive collaboration, where patients retain their autonomy by making the final decision, and partners offer emotional support. Couples reported about an overwhelming amount and sometimes conflicting information about treatments among different hospitals and healthcare providers.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients often involve their partner in decision-making, which they report to have enhanced their ability to cope with the disease. The amount and sometimes conflicting information during the decision-making process provide opportunities for improvement.
CONCLUSIONS: Couples can benefit from an overview of what they can expect during treatment course. If active surveillance becomes an established treatment option in the future, provision of such overviews and consistent information should become more streamlined.
METHODS: Seventeen couples participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on couples\' joint experiences as well as their individual experiences. Preferred and perceived role in the treatment decision-making process was assessed using the adjusted version of the Control Preferences Scale, and perceived influence on the treatment decision was measured using a visual analog scale.
RESULTS: Couples reflected on the decision-making process as a positive collaboration, where patients retain their autonomy by making the final decision, and partners offer emotional support. Couples reported about an overwhelming amount and sometimes conflicting information about treatments among different hospitals and healthcare providers.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients often involve their partner in decision-making, which they report to have enhanced their ability to cope with the disease. The amount and sometimes conflicting information during the decision-making process provide opportunities for improvement.
CONCLUSIONS: Couples can benefit from an overview of what they can expect during treatment course. If active surveillance becomes an established treatment option in the future, provision of such overviews and consistent information should become more streamlined.
摘要：
目的：本研究探讨了选择实验性主动监测（而不是标准手术）治疗食管癌的患者及其伴侣或主要护理人员的决策经验。
方法：17对夫妇参与。对夫妻的共同经历以及他们的个人经历进行了半结构化访谈。使用调整后的对照偏好量表评估治疗决策过程中的首选和感知角色。使用视觉模拟量表测量对治疗决策的感知影响。
结果：夫妇在决策过程中反映为积极的合作，患者通过做出最终决定来保留他们的自主权，和合作伙伴提供情感支持。夫妇报告了有关不同医院和医疗保健提供者之间治疗方法的大量信息，有时甚至相互矛盾。
结论：患者经常让他们的伴侣参与决策，他们报告说，这增强了他们应对疾病的能力。决策过程中的数量和有时相互冲突的信息提供了改进的机会。
结论：夫妇可以从对治疗过程中的期望的概述中受益。如果主动监测在未来成为既定的治疗选择，提供此类概述和一致的信息应该变得更加精简。
方法：17对夫妇参与。对夫妻的共同经历以及他们的个人经历进行了半结构化访谈。使用调整后的对照偏好量表评估治疗决策过程中的首选和感知角色。使用视觉模拟量表测量对治疗决策的感知影响。
结果：夫妇在决策过程中反映为积极的合作，患者通过做出最终决定来保留他们的自主权，和合作伙伴提供情感支持。夫妇报告了有关不同医院和医疗保健提供者之间治疗方法的大量信息，有时甚至相互矛盾。
结论：患者经常让他们的伴侣参与决策，他们报告说，这增强了他们应对疾病的能力。决策过程中的数量和有时相互冲突的信息提供了改进的机会。
结论：夫妇可以从对治疗过程中的期望的概述中受益。如果主动监测在未来成为既定的治疗选择，提供此类概述和一致的信息应该变得更加精简。
