Influence of data display formats on physician investigators' decisions to stop clinical trials: prospective trial with repeated measures.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of the method of data display on physician investigators' decisions to stop hypothetical clinical trials for an unplanned statistical analysis.


METHODS
Prospective, mixed model design with variables between subjects and within subjects (repeated measures).


METHODS
Comprehensive cancer centre.


METHODS
34 physicians, stratified by academic rank, who were conducting clinical trials.


METHODS
PARTICIPANTS were shown tables, pie charts, bar graphs, and icon displays containing hypothetical data from a clinical trial and were asked to decide whether to continue the trial or stop for an unplanned statistical analysis.


METHODS
Percentage of accurate decisions with each type of display.


RESULTS
Accuracy of decisions was affected by the type of data display and positive or negative framing of the data. More correct decisions were made with icon displays than with tables, pie charts, and bar graphs (82% v 68%, 56%, and 43%, respectively; P=0.03) and when data were negatively framed rather than positively framed in tables (93% v 47%; P=0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical investigators' decisions can be affected by factors unrelated to the actual data. In the design of clinical trials information systems, careful consideration should be given to the method by which data are framed and displayed in order to reduce the impact of these extraneous factors.
Elting
L S
LS
Department of Medical Specialties, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard-Box 40, Houston, TX 77030-4095, USA.
Martin
C G
CG
Cantor
S B
SB
Rubenstein
E B
EB
D015982:Bias; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003626:Data Display; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003657:Decision Making; D003662:Decision Theory; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013781:Texas