Abstract
Background:
We developed a patient decision aid (pDA) to assist psoriasis patients in treatment decisions.
Objective:
This pilot study evaluated the pDA in patient knowledge, decisional conflict, and preparation for decision making.
Methods:
Newly referred psoriasis patients in a private dermatology office completed self-administered surveys at three time points: before (visit 1) and on two occasions after provision of the pDA (visit 2 up to 2 weeks after visit 1; visit 3 up to 6 weeks after visit 1). The survey included questions regarding knowledge of psoriasis and its treatment and validated questionnaires on decisional conflict and preparation for decision making.
Results:
Ten psoriasis patients participated (seven men, three women; mean age 45.7 years), with a mean age of 11.4 years since diagnosis. Improvement by visit 3 was observed for knowledge (p = .06), reduced decisional conflict (p ≤ .001), and preparation for decision making (p ≤ .05). Patients tended to self-select treatment appropriate to the level of psoriasis severity.
Conclusion:
This pilot study of the pDA showed improved patient knowledge of psoriasis and its treatments, reduced decisional conflict, and increased patient preparation for decision making.
Limitations:
This small study was not randomized and did not have a comparator arm.
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