Decisional conflict in patients scheduled for insertion of a Central Venous Catheter to receive chemotherapy: protocol for a cross-sectional study

Introduction The proposal of the insertion of a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) represents a decisional conflict for patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy. Despite CVCs ensure greater freedom of movement and are safer for the administration of chemotherapy, patients report negative perceptions, inadequate knowledge and are often concerned about their device. In addition, self-efficacy of patients in informed choices plays a central role in the decision-making process. The aims of this study was twofold: 1) to test the psychometric properties of the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), the Knowledge test (KT) and the Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES); and 2) to analyze the relationship among decisional conflict, knowledge and decision self-efficacy in cancer patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy. Materials and Methods Single centre cross-sectional study. Psychometric properties of the DCS, KT and DSES will be tested with exploratory or confirmatory factor analyses as well as factor score determinacy coefficients and Cronbach's Alpha. Correlation among the above instruments will be evaluated with Pearson’ correlation. Discussion: Results of this study will add new knowledge regarding the psychometric properties of the DCS, KT and DSES and will shed light on the relationships among decisional conflict, knowledge and decision self-efficacy in cancer patients scheduled for the insertion of a CVC. The provision of valid and reliable tools will enable to identify decisional conflicts, their causes, and knowledge and self-efficacy related to them. The variables investigated in this study are modifiable factors associated with decisional conflict, therefore our results will provide health professionals with helpful tools to tackle this issue.