A patient decision aid to support shared decision-making on anti-thrombotic treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation: randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a computerised decision aid in patients with atrial fibrillation making decisions on whether to take warfarin or aspirin therapy.


METHODS
Two-armed open exploratory randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Two research clinics deriving participants from general practices in Northeast England.


METHODS
109 patients with atrial fibrillation aged over 60.


METHODS
Computerised decision aid applied in shared decision-making clinic compared to evidence-based paper guidelines applied as direct advice.


METHODS
Primary outcome measure was the decision conflict scale. Secondary outcome measures included anxiety, knowledge, decision-making preference, treatment decision, use of primary and secondary care services and health outcomes.


RESULTS
Decision conflict was lower in the computerised decision aid group immediately after the clinic; mean difference -0.18 (95% CI -0.34 to -0.01). Participants in this group not already on warfarin were much less likely to start warfarin than those in the guidelines arm (4/16, 25% compared to the guidelines group 15/16, 93.8%, RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.63).


CONCLUSIONS
Decision conflict was lower immediately following the use of a computerised decision aid in a shared decision-making consultation than immediately following direct doctor-led advice based on paper guidelines. Furthermore, participants in the computerised decision aid group were significantly much less likely to start warfarin than those in the guidelines arm. The results show that such an approach has a positive impact on decision conflict comparable to other studies of decision aids, but also reduces the uptake of a clinically effective treatment that may have important implications for health outcomes.
Thomson
Richard G
RG
Institute of Health and Society, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. richard.thomson@newcastle.ac.uk
Eccles
Martin P
MP
Steen
I Nick
IN
Greenaway
Jane
J
Stobbart
Lynne
L
Murtagh
Madeleine J
MJ
May
Carl R
CR
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005715:Gambling; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin