Qualitative Assessment of a Decision Tool for Stage I Lung Cancer Treatment

Background: Some patients are candidates for either surgical resection or stereotactic body radiotherapy for treatment of stage I lung cancer. We refined a previously developed decision tool about this treatment choice and evaluated interest in a personalized risk calculator. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews from October 2023 to May 2024 with patients who had been treated for stage I lung cancer at a Midwestern comprehensive cancer center and with clinicians who treat such patients. Results: Participants responded positively to the tool and indicated that it could support decisions if provided before or during conversations following diagnosis. There was no consensus on which clinician should deliver the tool. Suggested tool adaptations focused on clarifying eligibility for options and accurately describing the range of patients’ recovery experiences. Participants were open to the idea of a personalized risk calculator but expressed concerns about accuracy and interpretation of the results. Conclusions: Decision tools can help clinicians and patients collaborate on care decisions. Future work will explore opportunities to incorporate personalized risk information and evaluate this decision tool with a diverse group of patients deciding on treatment for stage I lung cancer.