Decision support for breast cancer screening decisions: A single case pre-/post-test study

Area of Science:

• Medical Decision Making
• Nursing Research
• Preventive Health

Background:

• Canadian guidelines advocate shared decision-making for breast cancer screening in women under 50.
• Nurses play a crucial role in supporting women through screening decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of decision support on decisional conflict in a woman under 50 considering mammography screening.
• To assess changes in knowledge, values clarity, and support post-intervention.

Main Methods:

• A single case pre-/post-test design was employed.
• Decision coaching and a breast cancer screening decision aid were utilized.
• The SURE test measured decisional conflict before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• The participant, a 44-year-old woman at average risk, initially reported high decisional conflict (SURE score 1/4).
• Following decision support, her SURE score improved to 4/4, indicating no decisional conflict.
• The intervention enhanced her knowledge, clarified values, and increased confidence in her screening decision.

Conclusions:

• Decision support effectively reduces decisional conflict for women under 50 considering mammography.
• Nurse-led decision coaching improves informed decision-making aligned with personal values.
• This approach enhances patient knowledge and confidence in preventive health choices.