Evaluation of the MAking DEcisions for Kids (MADE for Kids) Survey in a Simulated Setting

To evaluate the MAking DEcisions for Kids (MADE for Kids) survey for measuring shared decision-making (SDM) in pediatrics.

Parents and pediatric clinicians enrolled through online panels were randomized to view standardized video vignettes displaying high- (HQ) and low-quality (LQ) SDM in one of four clinical scenarios (eg, antibiotics or observation for acute otitis media in a child not at risk for severe infection). HQ vignettes included all four steps of a validated pediatric SDM process; LQ vignettes had ≥2 steps absent. Participants completed the parent- or clinician-version of the MADE for Kids survey and the dyadic OPTION survey (as a comparator) after each vignette. Numeric scores were assigned to MADE for Kids and dyadic OPTION responses and linearly transformed to a 0-100 scale (higher scores = higher quality SDM). We assessed construct validity of parent and clinician MADE for Kids scores using standardized mean difference (SMD; Cohen's d) between HQ and LQ vignettes, and concurrent validity by correlating MADE for Kids and dyadic OPTION scores using Spearman's correlation coefficient (δ). We assessed internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's α and measurement error with the coefficient of variation.

Responses from 584 parents and 612 clinicians were included. The SMD (d = 0.70-2.35) and correlation with dyadic OPTION (δ = 0.57-0.80) were high. Internal consistency reliability (α: 0.92-0.96) and coefficient of variation (<30% for most HQ, but not LQ, vignettes) were comparable to dyadic OPTION.

MADE for Kids demonstrated construct and concurrent validity and an internal consistency reliability and measurement error comparable to dyadic OPTION.