Effect of a computer-based decision aid on knowledge, perceptions, and intentions about genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility: a randomized controlled trial

• HIT Description: Patient decision support / Consumer Health Informatics More info...
  
• Purpose of Study: To compare effectiveness of a computer-based decision aid versus standard genetic counseling regarding breast cancer
  
• Years of study: 2000-2002
  
• Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
  
• Outcomes: Impact on health care effectiveness and quality
  

• Settings: Six outpatient clinics offering breast cancer genetic counseling.
• Intervention: Compared groups receiving standard, one-on-one genetic counseling to groups receiving counceling via an interactive, multimedia, computer-based decision aid called ÒBreast Cancer Risks and Genetic TestingÓ.
• Evaluation Method: surveys regarding participants' knowledge, risk perception, intention to undergo testing, anxiety and satisfaction.
• Description: An interactive, multimedia CD-Rom based decision aid. The program is easy to use, requires no prior experience with computers, and is designed for women of various ages and educational levels. It is self-paced and user driven. And lasts fomr 45-60 minutes.
• Healthcare Utilization: Intention to undergo genetic testing decreased significantly in both groups amongh low risk women. After 6 months, 19% of low-risk and 62% of high risk women had been tested.
• Quality of Care and Patient Safety Outcome: Both face-to-face counseling and the computer program were rated highly. Knowledge scores increased significantly in both groups regardless of risk status. Change in knowledge was significantly greater in the computer group compared with the counselor group among women at low risk. However, face-to-face counseling was more effective than the computer at reducing women's anxiety.