Impact of a hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid on treatment decision making: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Patient decision aids are tools that facilitate shared decision making when clinical evidence and patient values and preferences inform the process. Evidence-based guidelines have been developed for clinicians in hidradenitis suppurativa management. To address treatment decision-making needs of hidradenitis suppurativa patients, we developed a hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid. Objective: To assess the efficacy of the hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid during treatment decision making. Methods: An online, participant-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial of the hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid versus Mayo Clinic hidradenitis suppurativa website content (Mayo) was conducted with hidradenitis suppurativa patients. Outcomes were knowledge, decisional conflict, and preparation for decision making. Results: Forty participants fulfilled inclusion criteria and were randomized to hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid or Mayo. In the hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid group, data from 16 and 15 participants were analyzed at phases 1 and 2, respectively. In the Mayo group, data from 15 and 13 participants were analyzed at phases 1 and 2, respectively. Increased knowledge (P < .01) and preparation for decision making (P < .01), as well as reduced decisional conflict (P < .01), were observed in the hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid compared with the Mayo group. Limitations: The online methodology and recruitment from online hidradenitis suppurativa support groups limits generalizability of findings. Conclusion: A hidradenitis suppurativa patient decision aid increased knowledge and preparation for decision making and reduced decisional conflict.