TRIAD Patient Surveys is a cross-sectional survey design that will lead to more informed decision making and better outcomes related to antibiotics for appendicitis.
TRIAD was developed from questions raised by the University of Washington CODA Trial that addressed many of the methodological issues in the European studies and included diverse, adult patients (n=1552) with almost all types of presentations of appendicitis.
TRIAD surveys will be carried out in clinics and hospitals across the United States. Patients who are diagnosed with appendicitis will be recruited for study participation regardless of which treatment (appendectomy or antibiotics) they receive. Investigators invite patients to participate in a survey designed to identify awareness of treatment options and levels of decisional conflict (measured with the Ottawa Decisional Conflict Score \[DCS\]). Participants will complete a baseline survey via a convenient electronic platform, and follow-up surveys will be sent at 30 days.
By implementing the TRIAD surveys, researchers hope to obtain a better understanding of patients' perspectives, knowledge, and decision-making processes regarding the choice between appendectomy and antibiotic treatment for appendicitis. This data can contribute to more informed decision-making and potentially improve outcomes related to antibiotic use for this condition.