None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Purpose of the study: This study aims to explore how adults with no history of thyroid cancer would make decisions about treatments based on the terminology used to describe a hypothetical diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer. Who is it for?: You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or more, have no history of thyroid cancer. Study details: All participants in this study will be presented with three hypothetical scenarios that describe the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer using various terminology with and without the "cancer" term. The order in which these scenarios will be provided is random (by chance). Each hypothetical scenario and the treatment options presented to participants will be identical with the only difference being the terminology used. Following presentation with these scenarios participants will be assessed on treatment preferences and psycho-social outcomes. This research study will contribute to a new body of research aimed at understanding how different terminology for precancerous conditions or early stage cancer affect patient’s decision making about treatment.
Interventions
The intervention will test how different terminologies used to describe the same diagnosis (papillary thyroid cancer) affect decision making about treatment. This will be done by surveying a population from the Australian community with no history of thyroid cancer and presenting them with 3 hypothetical scenarios that describe a diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer using various terminology with and without the "cancer" term. The terms presented to participants are papillary thyroid cancer, pa
The intervention will test how different terminologies used to describe the same diagnosis (papillary thyroid cancer) affect decision making about treatment. This will be done by surveying a population from the Australian community with no history of thyroid cancer and presenting them with 3 hypothetical scenarios that describe a diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer using various terminology with and without the "cancer" term. The terms presented to participants are papillary thyroid cancer, papillary lesions of indolent course and abnormal cells. Participants will also be given a table with information on the risks and benefits to each treatment option (total thyroidectomy, hemi-thyroidectomy or active surveillance) so that participants are able to make an informed decision about their treatment options. Each hypothetical scenario and the treatment options presented to participants will be identical with the only difference being the terminology used. Participants will be called randomly using random-digit dialing to mobile numbers across Australia by an experienced independent social research company (the Hunter Research Foundation). Participants who agree to participate will be sent a link via email to the online survey. Participants will then complete the survey which includes all 3 hypothetical scenarios at once. It is estimated to take participants 10-15 minutes to complete. The aim of this intervention is to assess if the term "cancer" used to describe a diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer may impact patient treatment preferences (primary outcomes) as well as psycho-social outcomes (secondary outcomes).
Sponsors
Sydney School of Public Health
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants in this study will be men and women across the Australian community identified through random digit dialing. Participants will be eligible to participate in the study if they are above 18 years of age, are fluent in English and have no history of a thyroid cancer diagnosis. Researchers will try and recruit a 1:1 ratio of male and female participants.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded from the study if they are unable to speak adequate English upon initial contact, if they do not have a valid email address to access the survey, are below the age of 18 years and have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Outcome results
None listed