Computer-Based Survey and Communication Aid in Improving Physician-Patient Communication and Treatment Decision Making in Patients With Metastatic Cancer

RATIONALE: A computer-based survey and communication aid may help physicians and patients to communicate better and help make treatment decisions easier. PURPOSE: This phase III randomized clinical trial is studying how well giving a computer-based survey together with a communication aid works compared to a computer-based survey alone in improving physician-patient communication and treatment decision making in patients with metastatic cancer.