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. 2022 Feb 1;22(1):29.
doi: 10.1186/s12911-022-01768-y.

The development of a decision aid to support Hodgkin lymphoma survivors considering lung cancer screening

Rachel Broadbent  1   2   3 , Tania Seale  4 , Christopher J Armitage  5   6   7 , Kim Linton  8
Affiliations

The development of a decision aid to support Hodgkin lymphoma survivors considering lung cancer screening

Rachel Broadbent et al. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. .

Abstract

Background: Decisions aids (DA) can support patients to make informed decisions about screening tests. This study describes the development and initial evaluation of a lung cancer screening (LCS) DA targeted towards survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

Methods: A prototype decision aid booklet was developed and subsequently reviewed by a steering group who provided feedback. Revisions were made to produce the DA tested in this study. HL survivors were recruited to an online survey and/or focus groups. Lymphoma practitioners were invited to an interview study. In the online survey, decisional conflict scales and knowledge scales were completed before and after accessing the DA. The focus groups and interviews explored acceptability and comprehensibility and the decisional needs of stakeholders. Focus groups and interviews were audio recorded. The framework method was used to analyse qualitative data.

Results: 38 HL survivors completed the online survey. Following exposure to the DA, knowledge of LCS and risk factors and decisional conflict scores (total score and subscale scores) improved significantly. 11 HL survivors took part in two focus groups (n = 5 and n = 6) and 11 practitioners were interviewed. Focus group and interview results: The language, format and length were considered acceptable. Both groups felt the DA was balanced and presented a choice. Icon arrays were felt to aid comprehension of absolute risk values and for some survivors, they reduced affective risk perceptions. Among survivors, the impact of radiation risk on decision making varied according to gender and screening interval, whilst practitioners did not anticipate it to be a major concern for patients. Both groups expressed that a screening offer could mitigate anxiety about lung cancer risk. As anticipated by practitioners, survivors expressed a desire to seek advice from their clinical team. Practitioners thought the DA would meet their informational needs regarding LCS when supporting survivors.

Conclusions: The DA is considered acceptable by HL survivors and practitioners. The DA reduces decisional conflict and improves knowledge in HL survivors, suggesting that it would support HL survivors to make informed decisions when considering LCS in a future clinical trial.

Keywords: Decision aid; Hodgkin lymphoma; Lung cancer screening.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Screenshot of the pages in the decision aid containing icon arrays demonstrating absolute risk of lung cancer according to gender and treatment for HL
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow chart of the decision aid development process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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