Developing a quality criteria framework for patient decision aids: online international Delphi consensus process.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Engagement
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Patient decision support technologies (decision aids) are crucial for informed healthcare choices.
• A standardized method for evaluating the quality of these aids is lacking.
• Existing decision aids vary significantly in quality and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a comprehensive set of quality criteria for patient decision support technologies.
• To develop a reliable tool for assessing the quality of decision aids.
• To guide the development and implementation of high-quality decision support tools.

Main Methods:

• A two-stage, web-based Delphi process facilitated international collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• 83 potential quality criteria across 12 domains were rated by researchers, practitioners, patients, and policymakers from 14 countries.
• Criteria rated with high importance (median 7-9) were retained, with weighted medians used to balance stakeholder group input.

Main Results:

• 104 of 122 participants completed the second round of the Delphi process.
• 74 out of 83 criteria were retained, covering systematic development, information provision, value clarification, and evidence-based content.
• Key retained criteria include systematic development, balanced presentation of options, plain language, and up-to-date evidence.

Conclusions:

• The developed criteria reflect areas with strong existing evidence and highlight research gaps.
• A practical checklist is now available for developers, users, and purchasers to appraise decision aid quality.
• Further development of an instrument to measure decision aid quality is underway.