Lara Di Benedetto*
BACKGROUND
Patients generally have poor knowledge of the treatments they receive. They overestimate the benefits and underestimate the risks. Today, shared Medical Decision Support Tools (MDTs) exist to provide patients with evidence-based information.
PURPOSE
The primary objective of the study was to assess whether the use of an ADO affected acceptance or intention to accept treatment or screening.
METHOD
A systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis was performed. We searched for randomized controlled trials comparing evidence-based information with usual information in patients undergoing treatment, medication, surgery or screening. The primary outcome was acceptance of treatment or screening. If acceptance was not assessed, intention to accept was used as a surrogate endpoint.
RESULTS
We included 37 studies, totaling 31 399 patients. Acceptance or intention to accept treatment or screening was decreased in patients who received quality information compared with patients who received usual information (Relative Risk (RR)=0.90, CI95% 0.86-0.95). The test for heterogeneity was significant (p<0.00001), with a I2 at 72%. Screening studies were overrepresented in our synthesis.
CONCLUSION
Our study shows that providing patients with evidence-based information reduces their consent to care. This suggests that patients are undergoing certain treatments or screenings that do not meet their expectations. It is therefore important to promote evidence-based information, particularly through the use of decision support tools.
