Entertainment education for breast cancer surgery decisions: a randomized trial among patients with low health literacy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate an entertainment-based patient decision aid for early stage breast cancer surgery in low health literacy patients.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed female patients with early stage breast cancer from two public hospitals were randomized to receive an entertainment-based decision aid for breast cancer treatment along with usual care (intervention arm) or to receive usual care only (control arm). Pre-decision (baseline), pre-surgery, and 1-year follow-up assessments were conducted.

RESULTS

Patients assigned to the intervention arm of the study were more likely than the controls to choose mastectomy rather than breast-conserving surgery; however, they appeared better informed and clearer about their surgical options than women assigned to the control group. No differences in satisfaction with the surgical decision or the decision-making process were observed between the patients who viewed the intervention and those assigned to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Entertainment education may be a desirable strategy for informing lower health literate women about breast cancer surgery options.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Incorporating patient decision aids, particularly computer-based decision aids, into standard clinical practice remains a challenge; however, patients may be directed to view programs at home or at public locations (e.g., libraries, community centers).