Objective: To assess how breast cancer patients and surgeons rate an interactive decision aid, using CD-ROM technology, developed to support a choice between breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy.
Design: Questionnaire investigation.
Method: Written questionnaires were presented to patients as soon as they had finished using the CD-ROM. They responded on a 5-point scale. Surgeons (n = 14) were sent a written questionnaire to investigate their experiences of using the CD-ROM program.
Results: The interactive CD-ROM was offered to 92 consecutive breast cancer patients. Responses were obtained from 86 (93%) of the patients. The remainder were inadvertently not given the questionnaire. All of the patients evaluated the program as positive. Most of the patients found the program to be 'interesting', 'clear', 'useful', 'encouraging', and 'reassuring'. A majority (n = 76) expressed the view that the amount of information received was 'just right'. The interactive, computer-based method was evaluated as 'agreeable' by 74 patients. Almost all of the patients (n = 82) recommended that the program be shown to other patients. All of the surgeons (n = 14) stated that their patients' evaluations of the program were positive. Moreover, most of the surgeons (n = 10) were of the opinion that the program 'considerably contributed' to the provision of information. With the exception of one surgeon (n = 13), they all held the view that the program can be offered to breast cancer patients facing a choice between breast-conservation or mastectomy on a standard basis.
Conclusion: Interactive decision-making support by means of a CD-ROM for patients with breast cancer, received positive evaluations from both the patients and surgeons.