Exploiting order effects to improve the quality of decisions.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of ordering information in a patient decision aid (PtDA) about treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
We recruited 643 individuals to imagine that they had been diagnosed with OSA and to choose between treatment options. A value clarification exercise was used to determine which attributes of treatment mattered most to each individual. Before deciding on their preferred treatment option, we randomly assigned participants to view information with attributes in: a pre-specified order (Group 1), order of what mattered most last (Group 2), and first (Group 3).


RESULTS
Of the 510 participants who provided usable results, viewing information that mattered most first was associated with choosing the treatment option most concordant with their informed values. The order effect was most pronounced in younger individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study of hypothetical patients, order effects were found to improve the information patients focussed on, potentially improving the quality of their decisions.


PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
The order of information presented in a PtDA can inadvertently influence patients' choices. By tailoring information order for each patient, developers cannot only overcome this dilemma, but also make it simpler for patients to choose the option that is best for them.
['Bansback|Nick|N|', 'Li|Linda C|LC|', 'Lynd|Larry|L|', 'Bryan|Stirling|S|']
D000328:Adult D003142:Communication D032882:Comprehension D003657:Decision Making D003661:Decision Support Techniques D004644:Emotions D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010358:Patient Participation D057240:Patient Preference D018570:Risk Assessment D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Order effects Decision aids Cognitive biases