Treatment preference patterns during a videotape decision aid for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Abstract

Objective As part of a study of men's responses to a videotape decision aid [Rovner DR, Wills CE, Bonham V, Williams G, Lillie J, Kelly-Blake K, Williams MV, Holmes-Rovner M. Decision aids for benign prostatic hyperplasia: applicability across race and education. Med Decis Making 2004;24:359–66], preferences for BPH treatment options were assessed. Methods One hundred and sixty men stratified by race and education completed a semi-structured interview that included assessments of treatment preferences. Results Most men initially and ultimately favored watchful waiting over other options, and 56.6% never changed their preference rank orders while viewing the videotape. BPH severity in context of treatment risk avoidance, efficacy, and expert opinion factors were frequently cited reasons for preference orders. Lesser education was associated with higher likelihood of changing preferences ( r = −.30, p < .001), and percent increase in BPH knowledge pre- to post-videotape was weakly associated with fewer non-dominant preference shifts ( r = −.19, p < .05). Conclusion Conservatism regarding BPH treatment is moderated by context-specific factors, including new information. Practice implication Counseling in a provider–patient partnership model should address both sources of variance in men's treatment preferences.