The development of an online decision aid to support persons having a genetic predisposition to cancer and their partners during reproductive decision-making: a usability and pilot study

Kelly Reumkens*, Marly H.E. Tummers, Joyce J.G. Gietel-Habets, Sander M.J. van Kuijk, Cora M. Aalfs, Christi J. van Asperen, Margreet G.E.M. Ausems, Margriet Collée, Charlotte J. Dommering, C. Marleen Kets, Lizet E. van der Kolk, Jan C. Oosterwijk, Vivianne C.G. Tjan-Heijnen, Trudy van der Weijden, Christine E.M. de Die-Smulders, Liesbeth A.D.M. van Osch

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

An online decision aid to support persons having a genetic predisposition to cancer and their partners during reproductive decision-making was developed. A two-phase usability test was conducted among 12 couples (N = 22; 2 persons participated without their partner) at risk for hereditary cancer and 15 health care providers. Couples and health care providers expressed similar suggestions for improvements, and evaluated the modified decision aid as acceptable, easy to use, and comprehensible. The final decision aid was pilot tested (N = 16) with paired sample t tests comparing main outcomes (decisional conflict, knowledge, realistic expectations regarding the reproductive options and decision self-efficacy) before (T0), immediately (T1) and 2 weeks after (T2) use of the decision aid. Pilot testing indicated decreased decisional conflict scores, increased knowledge, and improved realistic expectations regarding the reproductive options, at T1 and T2. No effect was found for couples’ decision self-efficacy. The positive findings during usability testing were thus reflected in the pilot study. The decision aid will be further evaluated in a nationwide pretest–posttest study to facilitate implementation in the onco-genetic counselling setting. Ultimately, it is expected that the decision aid will enable end-users to make an informed decision.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)137-146
Number of pages10
JournalFamilial Cancer
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Counselling
  • Decision aid
  • Hereditary cancer
  • Informed decision-making
  • Oncology
  • Patient education
  • Reproductive decision-making
  • Decision Making
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary/genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Decision Support Techniques
  • Reproduction/genetics
  • Male
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Genetic Counseling/methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Internet

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