Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
A randomized controlled trial of shared decision making for prostate cancer screening
R J Volk1, A R Cass, S J Spann
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA. bvolk@bcm.tmc.edu
Archives of Family Medicine
|July 27, 1999
Summary
Patient education on prostate cancer screening significantly improved knowledge and led to more informed decisions. A PSA screening educational videotape is recommended for men aged 50 and older.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Public Health
- Health Education
Background:
- Prostate cancer screening decisions involve complex trade-offs.
- Patient knowledge regarding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is often inadequate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a patient-educational approach for shared decision-making in prostate cancer screening.
- To assess the impact of an educational intervention on patient knowledge and screening intentions.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 160 men aged 45-70.
- Intervention group received a 20-minute educational videotape on PSA screening.
- Outcomes measured included changes in knowledge, screening preferences, and videotape ratings.
Main Results:
- The educational videotape significantly improved correct knowledge by 78% (P = .001).
- Knowledge gains covered mortality, screening performance, and treatment complications.
- Fewer intervention patients planned PSA testing (62%) compared to controls (80%), indicating more informed decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Patient education on prostate cancer screening benefits and harms facilitates informed decision-making.
- Incorporating PSA screening educational videos into routine health examinations is recommended for asymptomatic men aged 50+.
