Abstract
The Hawaii Quality and Cost Consortium began a project in 1993 to implement and evaluate
interactive videodisk programs to assist in clinical decision-making for breast cancer.
Communication problems between physicians and patients, limitations of available outcomes
data and varying preferences of individual patients can result in treatment outcomes
that are less than satisfactory. Shared Decision-making Programs (SDPs) were developed
by the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making (FIMDM) in Hanover, New Hampshire,
to assist in the treatment decision-making process. Utilizing interactive videodisks,
the programs provide patients with clear, unbiased information about available treatment
options. With this information, patients can become more active participants in making
treatment decisions. The SDPs for breast cancer were implemented at two sites in Hawaii.
Evaluation data from 103 patients overwhelmingly indicate that patients find the programs
clear, balanced and very good or excellent in terms of the amount of information presented
and overall rating.
Keywords
Breast Cancer - Decision-making