Development of a Computerized Decision Support System to Aid Lower- literacy Women in Making Breast Cancer Treatment Decisions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE National and local data on treatment choices indicate under utilization ofbreast conserving surgery by women with early stage breast cancer, while current literature suggests that the issue may relate to inadequacies in efforts to educate them about treatment options. The purpose of this four-year project is to develop and test an interactive, multimedia, computerized decision support system (CDSS) on breast cancer for low-income, lowliterate, multi-ethnic women who speak English or Spanish. This project was designed to inform and educate women with Stage I, HA, IIB, and IIIA breast cancer using a culturally sensitive CDSS and to determine whether they (1) make breast cancer treatment decisions more consistent with their personal preferences, (2) are more knowledgeable about treatment options, and (3) are more satisfied about treatment decisions prior and post treatment, compared with women who get standard care and education at a public hospital.