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Effects of communicating individual risks in screening programmes: Cochrane systematic review.
Adrian Edwards1, Silvana Unigwe, Glyn Elwyn
1Department of Primary Care, University of Wales Swansea Clinical School, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP. a.g.k.edwards@swan.ac.uk
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|September 27, 2003
Summary
Individualized risk communication increases screening test uptake, but evidence for informed decision-making remains unclear. Further research is needed to develop effective screening interventions.
Area of Science:
- Health Communication
- Preventive Medicine
- Decision Science
Background:
- Patient screening decisions are crucial for early disease detection.
- Individualized risk communication aims to inform patients about their personal health risks.
- Effective communication strategies are needed to support informed screening participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of individualized risk communication on patient screening decisions.
- To assess whether increased screening uptake is linked to informed decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
- Included studies focused on patient decisions regarding screening participation.
- Primary outcome was screening test uptake; secondary outcomes included cognitive and affective measures.
Main Results:
- 13 studies were reviewed, with 10 focusing on mammography screening.
- Individualized risk communication significantly increased screening test uptake (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.11-2.03).
- Limited consistent data on cognitive/affective outcomes precluded conclusions about informed decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Individualized risk communication may enhance population health by increasing screening rates.
- The observed increase in screening uptake does not necessarily equate to informed patient decision-making.
- Development of interventions promoting informed screening decisions requires further attention.