Clinician feedback using a shared decision-making tool for the evaluation of patients with thyroid nodules-an observational study

BACKGROUND

We pilot-tested an encounter conversation aid to support shared decision making (SDM) between patients with thyroid nodules and their clinicians.

OBJECTIVE

Characterize the clinician feedback after providing care to patients with thyroid nodules using a tool to promote SDM conversations during the clinical encounter, and evaluate how clinicians used the tool during the visit.

METHODS

Mixed method study in two academic centers in the U.S., including adult patients presenting for evaluation of thyroid nodules and their clinicians. We thematically analyzed interviews with clinicians after they used the SDM tool in at least three visits to characterize their feedback. Additionally, investigators evaluated visits recordings to determine the extent to which clinicians engaged patients in the decision-making process (OPTION score, scale 0 to 100, higher levels indicating higher involvement), the tool's components used (fidelity), and encounter duration. Using a post-visit survey, we evaluated the extent to which clinicians felt the tool was easy to use, helpful, and supportive of the patient-clinician collaboration.

RESULTS

Thirteen clinicians participated in the study and used the SDM tool in the care of 53 patients. Clinicians thought the tool was well-organized and beneficial to patients and clinicians. Clinicians noticed a change in their routine with the use of the conversation aid and suggested it needed to be more flexible to better support varying conversations. The median OPTION score was 34, the fidelity of use 75%, and the median visit duration 17 min. In most encounters, clinicians agreed or strongly agreed the tool was easy to use (86%), helpful (65%), and supported collaboration (62%).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians were able to use a SDM tool in the care of patients with thyroid nodules. Although they wished it were more flexible, they found on the whole that its use in the clinical encounter was beneficial to patients and clinicians.

Patient feedback receiving care using a shared decision making tool for thyroid nodule evaluation-an observational study

PURPOSE

To characterize the feedback of patients with thyroid nodules receiving care using a shared decision making (SDM) tool designed to improve conversations with their clinicians related to diagnostic options (e.g. thyroid biopsy, ultrasound surveillance).

METHODS

Investigators qualitatively analyzed post-encounter interviews with patients to characterize their feedback of a SDM tool used during their clinical visits. Additionally, investigators counted instances of diagnostic choice awareness and of patients' expression of a diagnostic management preference in recordings of clinical encounters of adult patients presenting for evaluation of thyroid nodules in which the SDM tool was used.

RESULTS

In total, 53 patients (42 (79%) women); median age 62 years were enrolled and had consultations supported by the SDM tool. Patients were favorable about the design of the SDM tool and its ability to convey information about options and support patient-clinician interactions. Patients identified opportunities to improve the tool through adding more content and improve its use in practice through training of clinicians in its use. There was evidence of diagnostic choice awareness in 52 (98%) of these visits and patients expressed a diagnostic management preference in 40 (76%).

CONCLUSION

User centered design including feedback from patients and real life observation supports the use of the SDM tool to facilitate collaboration between patients and clinicians.

PSAT245 Feasibility of introducing a conversation aid for patients with thyroid nodules in clinical practice: Understanding the clinician experience

Background

To support the collaboration between patients with thyroid nodules and their clinician, we developed a Thyroid NOdule conversation aid (TNOC). TNOC includes a representation of thyroid cancer risk, alternative management options, and a print-out summary for patients. In a pilot study, the use of TNOC was associated with improvement in the quality of diagnostic conversations.

Research question: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of introducing TNOC into clinical encounters and understand clinicians’ experience with its use.

Methods

Prospective study conducted in two academic centers in the U.S. We included adult patients with thyroid nodules and their clinicians (endocrinologists and ear, nose, and throat specialists (ENT)). The feasibility of introducing TNOC was evaluated by the fidelity to which TNOC was used (12 item checklist of included components, such as: thyroid cancer risk presentation, management options) and the duration of clinical visits, evaluated through video recordings. Clinicians completed a post-visit survey to evaluate how helpful and easy to use TNOC was and the degree to which it supported collaboration with their patients. A qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted after clinicians used TNOC in at least three visits. The interview guide was developed following constructs included in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Analysis was conducted using the constant comparative method.

Results

Twelve clinicians (9 endocrinologists and 3 ENT) were included and used TNOC with 53 patients. Most patients were women (N -42, 79%) with a median age of 62 years (Interquartile range, 53-70). The median size of the thyroid nodules was 2.3 cm (Interquartile range, 1.3, 3.0). The median clinical visit duration was 17 minutes (Interquartile range 10,28). The median fidelity score was 75% (interquartile range 58, 75), with thyroid cancer risk presentation being the most commonly used item (98%) and the printable summary the least used (15%). Clinicians agreed or strongly agreed that TNOC was helpful (N=34, 65%), easy to use (N=44, 85%), and supported collaboration with patients (N= 32, 62%).

In the qualitative analysis, clinicians reported that TNOC was organized and covered commonly discussed topics. Moreover, the use of TNOC could support the clinical interaction and be beneficial for patients by assuring the patient perspective was considered, creating space for questions, and improving how information was presented. Yet, the perceived benefit of using TNOC was expected to be different depending on the expertise of the clinician, as experts might benefit less. Clinicians highlighted the importance of familiarity with TNOC to ease its use and suggested modifications: additional visual content, improved navigation to support dynamic use and providing patient access before/after the visit.

Interpretation: Using TNOC to support thyroid nodule management conversations was feasible, helpful, easy to use, and supportive of patient-clinician collaboration.

Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

PSAT246 Decision Making for Patients with Thyroid Nodules: Understanding the Patient's Experience

Background

We recently developed a Thyroid NOdule conversation aid (TNOC), a conversation tool that supports communication about management options between patients with thyroid nodules and their clinicians. TNOC uses an interactive electronic interface to support conversations about thyroid cancer risk in patients with thyroid nodules and management options. In a pilot study, the use of TNOC in the clinical encounter was associated with improvement in the quality of diagnostic conversations.

Research question: The aim of the study was to evaluate the patient's experience when receiving care using TNOC.

Methods

Prospective study conducted in two academic centers in the U.S. We included adult patients presenting for the evaluation of thyroid nodules and using TNOC in the encounters with their clinicians. Patients that were hyperthyroid, pregnant or had records of previous biopsy were excluded. Patient demographics and clinical features were obtained through electronic health record review. We conducted post-visit semi-structured interviews to assess patients’ experiences using TNOC. The semi-structured interview was developed following constructs included in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Qualitative analysis was conducted following the constant comparative method to identify emerging themes related to the patient experiences using TNOC. After an initial group of themes were identified, a final set of themes was derived based on prevalence and salience, following an iterative process by two coders.

Results

53 patients were enrolled in the study and 49 completed the post-visit interview. Most patients were women (N -42, 79%) and white (N-47, 89%) with a median age of 62 years (Interquartile range, 53-70). The median size of the thyroid nodules was 2.3 cm (Interquartile range, 1.3, 3.0) and 45% were ACR-TIRADS 4 or 5 (N-24). Most nodules were found incidentally (N-37, 70%).

In the qualitative assessment, the layman terms included in TNOC, the structured, step-wise and visual presentation of information were considered positively by patients. The language, visuals, and structure of TNOC supported knowledge transfer about thyroid nodules and their management options, helping them better understand their situation. Patients felt they worked together with their clinician by going through the conversation aid, making them feel comfortable asking questions. However, patients reported that the clinician's familiarity with TNOC and the learning needs of patients could affect the perceived benefit of the conversation aid. Patients suggested including more information and visuals in TNOC and providing access before/after the visit.

Interpretation: Patients found that the use of TNOC in medical encounters was helpful to understand information, treatment options, and working with their clinicians. This information supports the implementation of TNOC in practice to support decision-making.

Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.