Background Hospital report cards (HRCs) are usually presented in a textual and factual format, likely hampering information processing. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of... Show moreBackground Hospital report cards (HRCs) are usually presented in a textual and factual format, likely hampering information processing. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of audiovisual and narrative information in HRCs on user responses, and to test differences between older and younger women. Design A 2 (modality [textual vs. audiovisual]) x 3 (narration style [factual vs. process narrative vs. experience narrative]) online experiment was conducted. Information about breast cancer care was used as a case example. Age (younger [<65] vs. older [>= 65]) was included as a potential effect modifier. Setting and Participants A total of 631 disease-naive women (M-age = 56.06) completed an online survey. The outcomes were perceived cognitive load, satisfaction, comprehension, information recall and decisional conflict. Data were analysed using AN(C)OVAs. Results Audiovisual (vs. textual) information resulted in higher information satisfaction across age groups, but was associated with lower comprehension in older women. An experience narrative (vs. factual information) increased satisfaction with attractiveness and emotional support of the information only in older women. A three-way interaction effect was found, suggesting that older women were most satisfied with the comprehensibility of audiovisual factual or textual process narrative information. Younger women were most satisfied with the comprehensibility of audiovisual process narrative or textual factual information. Discussion and Conclusion Audiovisual and narrative information in an HRC showed beneficial effects on satisfaction measures. In particular, audiovisual information could be incorporated into HRCs to increase satisfaction with information. Public Contribution Lay persons helped in optimizing the visuals used in the stimulus materials by checking for clarity. Show less
Purpose: Counselees' preferences are considered important for the choice of risk communication format and for improving patient-centered care. We here report on counselees' preferences for how... Show morePurpose: Counselees' preferences are considered important for the choice of risk communication format and for improving patient-centered care. We here report on counselees' preferences for how risks are presented in familial breast cancer counseling and the impact of this preferred format on their understanding of risk.Patients and Methods: As part of a practice-based randomized controlled trial, 326 unaffected women with a family history of breast cancer received their lifetime risk in one of five presentation formats after standard genetic counseling in three Dutch familial cancer clinics: 1) in percentages, 2) in frequencies ("X out of 100"), 3) in frequencies plus graphical format (10x10 human icons), 4) in frequencies and 10-year age-related risk and 5) in frequencies and 10-year age-related risk plus graphical format. Format preferences and risk understanding (accuracy) were assessed at 2-week follow-up by a questionnaire, completed by 279/326 women.Results: The most preferred risk communication formats were numbers combined with verbal descriptions (37%) and numbers only (26%). Of the numerical formats, most (55%) women preferred percentages. The majority (73%) preferred to be informed about both lifetime and 10-year age-related risk. Women who had received a graphical display were more likely to choose a graphical display as their preferred format. There was no significant effect between the intervention groups with regard to risk accuracy. Overall, women given risk estimates in their preferred format had a slightly better understanding of risk.Conclusion: The results suggest that the accuracy of breast cancer risk estimation is slightly better for women who had received this information in their preferred format, but the risk format used had no effect on women's risk accuracy. To meet the most frequent preference, counselors should consider providing a time frame of reference (eg, risk in the next 10 years) in a numerical format, in addition to lifetime risk. Show less
Driel, C.M.G. van; Oosterwijk, J.C.; Meijers-Heijboer, E.J.; Asperen, C.J. van; Zeijlmans van Emmichoven, I.A.; Vries, J. de; ... ; Bock, G.H. de 2016
