Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Veterans Benefits and Health Care About VA Find a VA Location

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Improving informed decision-making for patients with knee pain

Fraenkel L, Rabidou N, Wittink D, Fried T. Improving informed decision-making for patients with knee pain. The Journal of rheumatology. 2007 Sep 1; 34(9):1894-8.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions


Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown that patients with knee pain are not well informed of their potential treatment options and that patient preferences are often discordant with physician practices. The objective of this pilot study was to test the efficacy of a computer tool to improve informed decision-making for patients with knee pain in an outpatient primary care clinic setting. METHODS: Patients with knee pain were randomized to receive an information pamphlet or to perform a computer task. The latter was designed to elicit preferences based on patient tradeoffs for route of administration, benefits, and side effects of commonly used treatment options for knee pain. After performing the task, participants were given a printed handout illustrating their preferences. RESULTS: In total, 87 patients were randomized. Decisional self-efficacy, preparedness to participate in decision-making, and arthritis self-efficacy were greater in participants randomized to the intervention arm compared to those receiving the information pamphlet (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: Participants using a tool designed to increase patient awareness of choice and evaluate the tradeoffs related to available treatment options were more confident in their ability to obtain information about available treatment options, were better prepared to participate in their visit, and had better arthritis related self-efficacy compared to patients receiving an information pamphlet. The results of this pilot study justify future large-scale trials to determine the effectiveness of similar interventions.




Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.