The development and preliminary evaluation of a decision aid based on decision analysis for two treatment conditions: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Hypertension

This paper discusses the development and evaluation of a computerised decision aid that provides individualised information about Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Hypertension to patients. The program is based on decision analysis, using decision trees as a way of providing users with information regarding the probability of different outcomes occurring, obtaining an individual evaluation of the different outcomes, before providing guidance on what might be the ‘best’ option for that patient. It is intended that the program can be used as the basis for helping patients to become more involved in decisions about their medical treatment. Eight health care professionals and 19 patients (9 with BPH and 10 with Hypertension) evaluated the program. Overall it was assessed positively by both health care professionals and patients. However, before it can be integrated into health care practice, the program is to be evaluated further in a randomised trial.