IngentaConnect A systematic review on communicating with patients about evidence

Abstract:

Objective

To conduct a systematic search for (1) the effectiveness of evidence-based communication tools to increase patient understanding of evidence, (2) effective formats for representing probabilistic information and (3) effective strategies for eliciting patient preferences about evidence. A case scenario is used to illustrate some of the difficulties of putting these results into practice. Data sources

Systematic search of The Cochrane Library, Medline, Psychinfo, Embase and Cancerlit. Review methods

Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high quality RCTs were included. Studies were excluded if they did not address the question, were focused on behavioural outcomes without attempting to increase understanding, were concerned with counselling as a therapeutic intervention, or were specific to communication regarding clinical trial participation. Results

We found 10 systematic reviews of RCTs and 30 additional RCTs addressing our questions. Communication tools in most formats (verbal, written, video, provider-delivered, computer-based) will increase patients' understanding but are more likely to do so if structured, tailored and/or interactive. Probabilistic information is best represented as event rates (natural frequencies) in relevant groups of people, rather than words, probabilities or summarized as effect measures such as relative risk reduction. Illustrations such as cartoons, or graphs (vertical bar charts) appear to aid understanding. Values clarification exercises may be better than standard utility techniques for eliciting preferences in individual decision making. Looking for effective evidence-based communication tools for prostatic specific antigen testing highlighted the challenges for clinicians and consumers in accessing tools that are evidence-based in design as well as content. Conclusion

There is an increasing body of evidence supporting the design of effective evidence-based communication tools but variable access to such tools in practice.

Keywords: communication; decision making; decision support techniques; evidence-based medicine; patient preferences; systematic review

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2005.00596.x

Affiliations: 1: PhD candidate, 2: Associate Professor, Screening & Test Evaluation Program, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia 3: Professor, Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia 4: Senior Research Fellow, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

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