The impact of a decision aid about heart disease prevention on patients' discussions with their doctor and their plans for prevention: a pilot randomized trial
2006

Impact of a Decision Aid on Heart Disease Prevention Discussions

Sample size: 75 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sheridan Stacey L, Shadle John, Simpson Ross J Jr, Pignone Michael P

Primary Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Hypothesis

A decision aid will increase patients' discussions with their doctor and their plans for CHD risk reduction.

Conclusion

The study shows that a decision aid may help increase discussions about heart disease prevention and plans for risk reduction among patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • The decision aid increased discussions about CHD risk reduction from 24% to 40%.
  • Patients with a specific plan for CHD risk reduction increased from 24% to 37%.
  • 78% of participants had at least one option to reduce their CHD risk.

Takeaway

Using a special tool helped patients talk more with their doctors about how to prevent heart disease and make plans to stay healthy.

Methodology

A pilot randomized trial was conducted with a convenience sample of adults with no previous history of cardiovascular disease.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to convenience sampling.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and was not powered for hypothesis testing.

Participant Demographics

Mean age was 53; 59% female, 73% white, and 23% African-American.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI -4% to +37%

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-6-121

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