The informed decision as an aim of evidence-based health information: the example of cancer screening

Abstract

In order to enable people to make an informed decision about participating in cancer screening, disadvantages like medical risks have be communicated in addition to advantages. The information in the decision aids should be evidence-based, neutral, balanced, understandable, and adequate in scope. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) in 2014 and 2015 to develop decision aids in the form of brochures on participation in mammography, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer screening, which are now in use. This article describes the development of the decision aids, with a focus on the results of user tests, which were executed by an external provider. Of the testers, 10 to 20% changed their attitude toward taking part in the screening test within the three categories “willing to take part,” “undecided,” and “not willing to take part” after reading the brochures. This indicates that an informed decision is supported by the materials. The user tests helped to better adapt the decision aids to the information needs of target groups.