Compared with younger children and older adults, adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer receive more intensive end-of-life (EOL) care. We hypothesize that enhanced understanding of AYA preferences, increased engagement of these patients in decision-making, and improved communication of their preferences with family members and the medical team will lead to increased provision of goal-concordant care and decreased intensity of EOL care. In this study, we describe the development of a novel tool that quantifies the relative importance of numerous factors considered by AYA patients with cancer, their parents, and health care providers when choosing between treatment options.
Keywords: advance care planning; communication; conjoint analysis; decision-making; end-of-life care; quality of life.