Association of a Video Patient Decision Aid with Shared Decision-Making in Undescended Testicle Consults: A Randomized Control Study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of an educational video on parental perceptions of the shared decision-making (SDM) process in the setting of initial consultation for undescended testis (UDT).Methods Randomized control study of patients aged 0–18 years old and their parents presenting to the urology clinic for evaluation of UDT. The shared decision-making questionnaire (SDMQ9) was used to measure parental perception of SDM in the intervention and control groups. Parents in the intervention group viewed an educational video on UDT prior to their visit.Results 258 patients were included in the study; 144 were assigned to the control group and 114 were assigned to the intervention group. Mean scores on the SDMQ9 were not statistically different between the groups (91.9 vs 85.6, p = 0.077). Responses were significantly improved in one individual question in the intervention group: “My doctor and I thoroughly weighed the different treatment options” (p = 0.041).Conclusion The use of an educational video did not increase overall perception of the SDM process but did improve perception in a single aspect of the process. Our findings suggest that decision aids may be less useful in improving the SDM process in this setting, although further research is needed to optimize these interventions.