title: A randomized trial of a breast/ovarian cancer genetic testing decision aid used as a communication aid during genetic counseling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of a decision aid for women considering genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer risk given during genetic counseling.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty-eight women were randomized to receive the decision aid or a control pamphlet at the beginning of their first consultation with a genetic counselor. When the patient received the decision aid, it was used to complement consultation discussions about genetic testing. One hundred and ten (74.3%) women completed the first questionnaire designed to elicit information about women's levels of decisional conflict and knowledge about genetic testing. Of these, 105 (70.9%) completed a second questionnaire to assess longer-term outcomes, 6 months postconsultation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that women who received the decision aid felt more informed about genetic testing (chi(2)(1)=8.69; P=0.003), had clearer values (chi(2)(1)=6.90; P=0.009) and had higher knowledge levels (chi(2)(2)=6.49; P=0.039) than women who received the control pamphlet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The developed decision aid improved patient outcomes better than a control pamphlet when implemented during genetic counseling and given to the patient to take home.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. c.wakefield@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meiser
authors.forename: Judi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Homewood
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gleeson
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult