A novel decision aid to support informed decision making process in patients with a symptomatic non-lower pole renal stone <20 mm in diameter

Introduction Stone disease is an important health problem and patients have different treatment choices. Shared decision making is recommended for deciding the treatment type but patient education is necessary. Decision aids (DAs) are used for this aim and herein we developed a novel DA for patients with symptomatic non-lower pole renal stones <20 mm in diameter. Materials and methods The DA development process was established based on the recommended guides. General characteristics of the stone disease and details of the shock wave lithotripsy and retrograde intrarenal surgery were included in the content of the DA. The DA was further revised based on the suggestions of different physician groups and patients. The DA was evaluated by 3 physicians (Delphi assessment- International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) Collaboration standards) and 25 patients (questionnaire of 6 questions with Five-point Likert scale). Results The DA was designed as a booklet and Delphi group assessment resulted in a total score of 50/54. Patient evaluation of the DA resulted in favourable outcomes and patients generally recommended its use by other patients. Conclusions This novel DA for patients with a symptomatic non-lower pole renal stone <20 mm showed promising results and well accepted by the patients. We believe that this DA will have positive impact on patients' level of knowledge. Increased level of knowledge will also improve the patients' contribution on the shared decision making process. A further prospective randomised trial to compare with the standard patient informing process is also planned.

Journal of endourology. 2017 May 03 [Epub ahead of print]

Mehmet Ilker Gökce, Barış Esen, Adem Sancı, Çağrı Akpınar, Evren Süer, Ömer Gülpınar

ankara university school of medicine, urology , adnan saygun caddesi ibnisina hastanesi , ankara, ankara, Turkey , 06100 ; ., Ankara Universitesi, 37504, urology, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey ; ., Ankara Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, 63990, urology, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey ; ., ankara university school of medicine, urology, ankara, ankara, Turkey ; ., ankara university school of medicine, urology , ibni sina hastanesi , Üroloji AD , Samanpazarı ANKARA , Ankara, Turkey , 06700 ; ., University of Ankara, Departmant of Urology, Ankara, Turkey ; .