Doctor–patient relationship mediates the effects of shared decision making on health-related quality of life among women living with breast cancer

Decreased quality of life is a major challenge among women living with breast cancer due to treatment effects and other psychosocial comorbidities. However, shared decision making and doctor–patient relationship have been linked to improved quality of life, but the mechanism linking shared decision making and quality of life is poorly understood. This study therefore examined both the direct and indirect influences of shared decision making on quality of life through doctor–patient relationship among 205 women living with breast cancer in Ghana with a mean age of 52.49 years. Using a cross-sectional design, participants were administered questionnaires which measured quality of life, doctor–patient relationship, and shared decision making. Results showed that shared decision making had significant indirect influence on overall quality of life via doctor–patient relationships (b = 4.69, 95% confidence interval = [0.006, 9.555]). Shared decision making had a significant effect on doctor–patient relationships (b = 7.63, t = 6.76, p <.001) but no significant direct effect on quality of life (b = 2.72, t = 0.510, p =.61). Findings suggest that shared decision making results in improved doctor–patient relationships which probably lead to better quality of life among women living with breast cancer. These findings underscore the need for increased patient involvement in medical decisions to improve interpersonal relationships and consequently quality of life.