Arnold, Alicia H

Abstract Objective To test the effectiveness of a surgical web‐based decision aid (DA) in improving knowledge. Summary of Background Data DAs support decision making by providing information about the options. Methods A stepped wedge trial was conducted in 10 National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program clinics (Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology). Clinics were randomized to time of transition from usual care (UC) to delivery of a web‐based DA. Patients with stage 0 through 3 breast cancer being considered for surgery were enrolled. Knowledge (primary outcome) was measured using the Breast Cancer Surgery Decision Quality Instrument and patients were asked, “How informed do you feel?” Intervention effects were tested with linear mixed‐effects models, accounting for surgeon and clinic‐level clustering, time, and enrollment after COVID. Additional models controlled for demographics. Results A total of 44% of DA arm patients reviewed the DA and 58% in UC arm reported reviewing “any information.” Being in the DA arm versus UC was not associated with knowledge. However, “review of information” was associated with higher knowledge. In addition, non‐White race and lower education were associated with lower knowledge. The DA arm was associated with higher perceptions of feeling informed (parameter estimate 1.36; 95% CI, 0.18–2.55; p = .02); this persisted even when controlling for review of information or demographics. Conclusion Improved knowledge was not demonstrate with a web‐based DA versus UC. Interestingly, the DA was associated with a higher likelihood of feeling informed. Future research will explore the discrepancy between patients feeling informed but having low knowledge, especially for disadvantaged patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0376600

314 Background: In a recent trial, we observed no statistically significant increase in engagement after a web-based decision aid (DA) was delivered to breast cancer patients prior to a surgical consult. However, a minority of the intervention group (44%) reviewed the DA. The objective is to assess the effect of the DA on engagement for the cohort of patients who reviewed it. Methods: A stepped wedge trial was conducted with 10 NCI Community Oncology Research Program clinics that care for a high proportion of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients (6/2019-12/2021). Clinics were randomized to time of transition from usual care (UC) to delivery of a DA. Patients with stage 0-3 breast cancer eligible for surgery provided consent prior to a surgical consult. Engagement was measured from audio-recorded surgical consults (Active Patient Behaviors, Street protocol). For this analysis, we identified a cohort of treatment compliant (TC) patients who reviewed the DA. Intervention effects comparing TC and UC groups were tested with linear mixed-effects models, accounting for time, enrollment post-COVID, and patient age, race, education, and socioeconomic disadvantage (assessed with Area Deprivation Index and dichotomized). Exploratory models were generated using Active Patient Behavior subcomponents (asking questions, assertive responses, expressions of concern) as the outcome. Results: The cohort includes 407 patients (UC 264; TC 143). TC patients were more likely to be white (TC 73%, UC 64%, p=0.03), have a college degree (TC 65%, UC 55%, p=0.05), and not be disadvantaged (TC 89%, UC 72%, p=0.001). TC was associated with increased engagement (8.2 [0.08, 16.2], p=0.048, Table). A college degree was associated with higher, while black race and socioeconomic disadvantage lower, engagement. On exploratory analyses, TC had a stronger association with higher levels of assertive responses (2.9 [-0.3, 6.1], p=0.07) compared with asking questions (5.2 [-1.4, 11.9], p=0.12) or expressions of concern (0.08 [-0.60, 0.76], p=0.82). Conclusions: We observed increased engagement in breast cancer patients who reviewed a DA prior to a surgical consult. However, we also observed differences based on race, education, and socioeconomic disadvantage. Further research will identify adjunct interventions to combine with the DA to improve cancer care delivery for diverse populations. Support: UG1 CA189823; AHRQ R01HS025194; https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org. Clinical trial information: NCT03766009 .[Table: see text]