Introduction: It is important to actively involve patients with cT1 renal masses in treatment decision-making. Patient decision aids (PtDAs) support patients and health care professionals (HCPs) in shared decision-making. The aim of this study was to develop a Dutch PtDA for cT1 renal masses and to test its acceptability and usability.
Methods: This was a user-centered mixed-methods design. The cocreation process with HCPs from several hospitals and a patient representative, with input from (a) a needs assessment study (semistructured interviews and questionnaires) and (b) acceptability and usability testing (think-aloud sessions and semistructured interviews), guided by the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS) criteria. Compatibility with the IPDAS criteria was evaluated (c).
Results: In total, 12 patients with cT1 renal masses and 56 HCPs participated. The PtDA consists of 3 components: (1) a decision aid handout demonstrating an overview of treatment options; (2) an online decision aid with information on renal cell carcinoma, treatment options, and values-clarification exercises; and (3) a personal decision aid summary. Both patients and HCPs highly appreciated the PtDA and were able to navigate through it. The PtDA fulfills all 12 IPDAS criteria.
Conclusions: We systematically developed a PtDA for cT1 renal masses. The PtDA was found acceptable and usable by patients and HCPs. The PtDA is currently being implemented in routine care.
Keywords: decision aid; renal cell carcinoma; shared decision-making.