Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
07:34
Author Spotlight: Advancing Prostate Cancer Research Through Improved Tissue Sampling and Biobanking
Published on: November 17, 2023
1.2K
User-testing an interactive option grid decision aid for prostate cancer screening: lessons to improve usability
Peter Scalia1, Marie-Anne Durand1, Marjan Faber2
1The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
BMJ Open
|May 29, 2019
Summary
This study evaluated a web-based tool for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing decisions. Men with low health literacy struggled with navigation, indicating a need for improved design for all users.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Patient Decision Aids
- Health Literacy Research
Background:
- Patient decision aids are crucial for informed healthcare choices.
- The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test involves complex risk-benefit considerations.
- Health literacy significantly impacts a patient's ability to engage with health information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To user-test an interactive, web-based Option Grid decision aid for the PSA test.
- To determine the usability, acceptability, and feasibility of the tool for men with varying health literacy levels.
Main Methods:
- A semi-structured interview study was conducted with 20 men aged 45+.
- Participants were recruited from senior centers, academic hospitals, and college libraries.
- Participants were categorized by health literacy (low vs. high) based on education level.
Main Results:
- Men with high health literacy used the Option Grid tool independently.
- Men with low health literacy could understand the content but required assistance for navigation.
- Users found the information acceptable but desired more personalized risk data (age, family history).
Conclusions:
- The current Option Grid design presents usability challenges for individuals with limited health literacy.
- Improvements are needed to ensure equitable access and understanding of the decision aid.
- The tool holds potential for clinical implementation to enhance patient-clinician dialogue if usability is enhanced.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Decision Making
936
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
936
01:09Decision Making: P-value Method
6.8K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the P-value method includes calculating the P- value using the sample data and interpreting it.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can...
6.8K
02:07Improving Translational Accuracy
14.1K
Base complementarity between the three base pairs of mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is not a failsafe mechanism. Inaccuracies can range from a single mismatch to no correct base pairing at all. The free energy difference between the correct and nearly correct base pairs can be as small as 3 kcal/ mol. With complementarity being the only proofreading step, the estimated error frequency would be one wrong amino acid in every 100 amino acids incorporated. However, error frequencies observed in...
14.1K
02:07Improving Translational Accuracy
3.6K
3.6K
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
5.1K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
5.1K
02:39Predator-Prey Interactions
21.2K
Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.
21.2K