Table 2 Description of seven key decision aid components [41]

1. Anticipatory guidance for managing treatment side effects, quality-of-life and available therapies delivered via pamphlets from National Cancer Institute, Cancer Care National Office, or institutionally distributed.

2. Social support provided by the decision partner’s participation in the study and interactions with the CPN.

3. Patient’s preferences for treatment decision-making participation is assessed and shared with health care providers.

4. Decision-making process tutorial communicates the importance of decision-making and satisfaction via an easy-recall teaching method that addresses (a) the purpose of the decision aid, (b) possible outcomes, (c) preconditions, (d) theory utility, (e) styles of decision making, (f) the steps/process of decision making, and (g) evaluation criteria. This is presented in a 12-min, easy-to-follow audio file and a follow-along transcript.

5. Normalization/experiential context using the “Cancer Survival Toolbox: An Audio Resource Program” In this National Cancer Institute golden star award program, patients with specific cancer concerns demonstrate practical treatment tools for daily life.

6. Values clarification throughout the treatment decisions through the use of a balance sheet, a simple table identifying the pros and cons for self and others (family and friends), resulting in values clarification for the patient-decision partner dyad. The balance sheet will be used during interactions within patient-decision partner dyads and with the CPN and oncology providers.

7. Structured time/data sharing (i.e., balance sheet and HRQL-PSY graphical summaries) with oncology providers to support the oncology provider’s interactions with the patient-decision partner dyad and facilitate decisions.