Feasibility and acceptability of a decision aid designed for people facing advanced or terminal illness: a pilot randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Patients nearing the end of their lives face an array of difficult decisions.


OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a decision aid (DA) designed for patients facing advanced or terminal illness.


METHODS
We conducted a pilot randomized clinical trial of Health Dialog's Looking Ahead: choices for medical care when you're seriously ill DA (booklet and DVD) applied to patients on a hospital-based palliative care (PC) service.


METHODS
University of Colorado Hospital - December 2009 and May 2010.


METHODS
All adult, English-speaking patients or their decision makers were potentially eligible. Patients were not approached if they were in isolation, did not speak English or if any provider felt that they were not appropriate because of issues such as family conflict or actively dying.


METHODS
All participants received a standard PC consultation. Participants in the intervention arm also received a copy of the DA. Measurements Primary outcomes included decision conflict and knowledge. Participants in the intervention arm also completed an acceptability questionnaire and qualitative exit interviews.


RESULTS
Of the 239 patients or decision makers, 51(21%) enrolled in the trial. The DA had no significant effect on decision conflict or knowledge. Exit interviews indicated it was acceptable and empowering, although they wished they had access to the DA earlier.


CONCLUSIONS
While the DA was acceptable, feasibility was limited by late-life illness challenges. Future trials of this DA should be performed on patients earlier in their illness trajectory and should include additional outcome measures such as self-efficacy and confidence.
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of MedicineColorado Health Outcomes Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO, USA.
Dan D
DD
Matlock
Tarah A E
TA
Keech
Marlene B
MB
McKenzie
Michael R
MR
Bronsert
Carolyn T
CT
Nowels
Jean S
JS
Kutner
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors