Dong Wook Shin1, Keeho Park2, Ansuk Jeong3, Hyung Kook Yang2, So Young Kim4, Mihee Cho5, Jong Hyock Park6. 1. Supportive Care Center, Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Cancer Policy Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Psychology, The University of Utah Asia Campus, Incheon, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; College of Medicine/Graduate School of Health Science Business Convergence, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Republic of Korea. 6. College of Medicine/Graduate School of Health Science Business Convergence, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jonghyock@chungbuk.ac.kr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: It is not clear whether age-related differences in treatment and treatment decision-making are the result of age discrimination or just a reflection of older patients' elevated risk and their own preferences. Therefore, it is critical to understand older patients' own views toward their care in regard to its relationship to age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 439 older patients with cancer (age ≥ 60) and 358 family members from eleven cancer centers participated in this cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: Almost all patients (91.2%) and caregivers (92.7%) thought that older patients should be treated equal to younger patients, across all questionnaire items. The proportions of patients who reported having experienced age discrimination according to each item were: disease information (12.3%), treatment information (11.0%), participation in treatment decision (10.7%), attention from healthcare professionals (6.2%), supportive care (5.2%), and treatment (3.2%). Increasing age was the only demographic characteristic that was associated with greater ageism experience (p < .001). Patients' ageism attitudes, as well as caregivers' ageism attitudes, were negatively associated with ageism experience. Ageism experience was associated with a higher depression score, as well as a lower quality of life. CONCLUSION: Discrimination in treatment and the treatment decision process based on age was not justified. Interventions that address ageist attitudes in older patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals are needed to reduce age discrimination, and thereby improve the quality of life of older patients with cancer.
OBJECTIVE: It is not clear whether age-related differences in treatment and treatment decision-making are the result of age discrimination or just a reflection of older patients' elevated risk and their own preferences. Therefore, it is critical to understand older patients' own views toward their care in regard to its relationship to age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 439 older patients with cancer (age ≥ 60) and 358 family members from eleven cancer centers participated in this cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: Almost all patients (91.2%) and caregivers (92.7%) thought that older patients should be treated equal to younger patients, across all questionnaire items. The proportions of patients who reported having experienced age discrimination according to each item were: disease information (12.3%), treatment information (11.0%), participation in treatment decision (10.7%), attention from healthcare professionals (6.2%), supportive care (5.2%), and treatment (3.2%). Increasing age was the only demographic characteristic that was associated with greater ageism experience (p < .001). Patients' ageism attitudes, as well as caregivers' ageism attitudes, were negatively associated with ageism experience. Ageism experience was associated with a higher depression score, as well as a lower quality of life. CONCLUSION: Discrimination in treatment and the treatment decision process based on age was not justified. Interventions that address ageist attitudes in older patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals are needed to reduce age discrimination, and thereby improve the quality of life of older patients with cancer.