PROSPECT

In the Netherlands, 11,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. In 70% of cases, it concerns localized, non-metastasized prostate cancer. There are various treatment options from which the patient can choose in consultation with the medical specialist. However, research indicates that patients cannot make an informed choice when they do not have a clear understanding of the differences between treatments. To enable patients to make an informed decision about their treatment, we are developing a decision aid called PROSPECT (prostate cancer decision aid for side effects).

This decision aid provides information about possible treatments, and patients receive personalized risk assessments for side effects associated with different treatment options. The information from this decision aid supports the process of shared decision-making. Ultimately, this should lead to less regret about the treatment choice afterward, better adherence to therapy because patients are more involved and informed, and lower costs as less invasive treatments are often chosen.

PROSPECT is funded through the 2018 'Transparency about the quality of care' subsidy programme of the Dutch National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland or ZIN).