Open to Options™ (O2O) is an evidence-based approach to treatment decision support. The Cancer Support Community (CSC), in collaboration with the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT), developed and evaluated the Open to Options™ program to help patients communicate more effectively with their health care team in order to arrive at the treatment decision that is right for them.
As an affiliate of CSC, Red Door Community is now an O2O trained site able to guide cancer patients, in a non-directive way, to anticipate their questions and concerns while describing their individual situations, medical options and personal goals, in advance of an upcoming medical appointment.
The O2O facilitator helps the patient develop and organize a Question List (QL) which becomes a reference point for the patient to use to guide the conversation about the various treatment options available to the patient. The very act of developing and referring to the QL can help the patient feel empowered, focused and more in control of the conversation simultaneously helping to reduce stress.