The Article in Brief
Physician Communication Regarding Prostate Cancer Screening: Analysis of Unannounced Standardized Patient Visits
Bo Feng , and colleagues
Background This study is part of a randomized controlled trial to educate physicians using an interactive Web-based module on prostate cancer screening. The current analysis explores how physicians approach discussions of risk and uncertainty around prostate cancer screening.
What This Study Found A Web-based educational intervention appears to improve shared decision making, encourage neutrality in recommendations, and reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test ordering. Based on visits with 118 participating primary care physicians in which trained actors (standardized patients) prompt physicians to address prostate cancer screening, intervention physicians show more shared decision making behaviors and were more likely to mention the option of no screening, to encourage patients to consider different screening options, and to seek input from others.
Implications
- The authors suggest that interventions such as this may help influence physicians' behaviors in addressing controversial medical topics with public health implications and help decrease utilization of tests with uncertain value.