Dentists' Understanding of Diagnostic Test Results and Treatment Efficacy.

NCT03051295 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: riskcommunicationdentist2017
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 101
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

There is little evidence on how best to present diagnostic and treatment effect information to dentists and whether this makes any difference to their understanding of the information given and clinical management. The objective of this study is to assess the influence of different formats for presenting diagnostic test results and treatment efficacy on dentists' understanding and on their reported clinical management. The hypothesis is that presenting diagnostic test and treatment effectiveness results using natural frequencies influences the threshold for treatment and improves interpretation of tests results compared to conditional probabilities and percentage differences. A group of dentists recruited from postgraduate courses were randomized to two of four arms, being two arms of a hypothetical realistic diagnostic scenario (a) and two arms of a hypothetical realistic treatment scenario (b): a1) diagnostic test results presented in conditional probabilities; a2) diagnostic test results presented in natural frequencies; b1) treatment efficacy presented in percentages; b2) treatment efficacy presented in natural frequencies. The main outcome measures were the correct answer as to whether disease was actually present (post-test probability) and the correct answer as the number of patients that would benefit from the treatment (efficacy). Secondary outcome measures included the decision whether to treat or not treat the hypothetical patient.

Conditions

Health Education

Keywords

Communication Barriers; Persuasive Communication; Risk

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• The probability that a patient will have a dental cavity as assessed by a dentist.

  The assessement by the dentist was based on a questionnarie containing a clinical hypothetical situation and the result of a bite-wing radiographic exam.

  Up to 20 minutes

• The number of patients that will benefit from systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment as assessed by a dentist.

  The assessement by the dentist was based on a questionnarie containing a clinical hypothetical situation and the information about the usual efficacy of systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment.

  Up to 20 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• The number of dentists that would recommend the use of systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment in the clinical management of a patient with periodontal disease.

  Up to 20 minutes

Study Arms (4)

Diagnostic percentages.

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dentist receives diagnostic test results presented in conditional probabilities.

Other: Dental health information form

Diagnostic frequencies

EXPERIMENTAL

Dentist receives diagnostic test results presented in natural frequencies.

Other: Dental health information form

Treatment percentages.

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dentist receives treatment efficacy presented in percentages.

Other: Dental health information form

Treatment frequencies.

EXPERIMENTAL

Dentist receives treatment efficacy presented in natural frequencies.

Other: Dental health information form

Interventions

Dental health information form OTHER

The format in which dentists receive information about diagnostic test results and efficacy of treatment.

Diagnostic frequencies; Diagnostic percentages.; Treatment frequencies.; Treatment percentages.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Graduated dentist undergoing a postgraduate course in a public university in Rio de Janeiro.

You may not qualify if:

• None.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Rio de Janeiro State University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2017
• First Posted: February 13, 2017
• Study Start: June 8, 2016
• Primary Completion: December 13, 2016
• Study Completion: December 13, 2016
• Last Updated: February 13, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share