title: Effects of a web-based decision aid regarding diagnostic self-testing. A single-blind randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Currently, there are many diagnostic self-tests on body materials available to consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an online decision aid on diagnostic self-testing for cholesterol and diabetes on knowledge among consumers with an intention to take these tests. A randomized controlled trial was designed. A total of 1259 consumers with an intention to use a diagnostic cholesterol or diabetes self-test were selected from an existing Dutch Internet panel. The intervention group was invited to view an online decision aid offering general information on self-testing and test-specific information on cholesterol and diabetes self-testing, including indications for testing, how to perform the test and interpreting the result. The placebo condition consisted of a limited information sheet. Multiple regression analysis showed that the knowledge level in the diabetes arm was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (B = 0.657; 95% CI, 0.011-1.303), as was the number of participants with an informed choice (OR, 1.672; 95% CI, 1.134-2.465). No differences were found in the cholesterol arm. Consumers who are considering doing a self-test should have access to independent information on self-testing and be encouraged to read this information.
  
  
  
  Dutch Trial Register: NTR 3149.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice martine.ickenroth@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Martine H P
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ickenroth
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice.
authors.forename: J E J
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Grispen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Caphri, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dinant
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ronda
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van der Weijden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D033182:Intention; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D016037:Single-Blind Method