Evaluating the Impact of Evidence-based Information About PSA Testing on Prostate Cancer Screening Decisions

Patient decision aids are tools that help guide individuals through a healthcare-related decision making process. They help users combine evidence-based information and recommendations by a health care provider with their personal needs, values and preferences. Through this project, Dr. Dobbins and her research team will explore whether the use of patient decision aids with high-quality and user-friendly summaries of research evidence, or summaries of research evidence alone, help to improve the quality of decision making by men facing prostate cancer screening decisions.

Guidelines for prostate screening in Canada are based on low-moderate quality evidence of effectiveness and screening is associated with potential harms. Patient Decision Aids (PDAs) are tools that assist users to understand treatment options, risks and benefits to align decisions with values and preferences. The investigators would now like to know whether use of a PDA alongside evidence-based information provided through the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, or simply access to evidence-based information alone, can help users to make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening in men.