Dentists' Understanding of Diagnostic Test Results and Treatment Efficacy.

Health Education Clinical Trial

— RCDENT2017  

Official title:

The Influence of Different Formats for Presenting Diagnostic Test Results and Treatment Efficacy on Dentists' Understanding and on Their Reported Clinical Management.

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03051295
• Other study ID #: riskcommunicationdentist2017
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: February 6, 2017
• Last updated: February 10, 2017
• Start date: June 8, 2016
• Est. completion date: December 13, 2016

Study information

• Verified date: February 2017
• Source: Rio de Janeiro State University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

There is little evidence on how best to present diagnostic and treatment effect information to dentists and whether this makes any difference to their understanding of the information given and clinical management. The objective of this study is to assess the influence of different formats for presenting diagnostic test results and treatment efficacy on dentists' understanding and on their reported clinical management. The hypothesis is that presenting diagnostic test and treatment effectiveness results using natural frequencies influences the threshold for treatment and improves interpretation of tests results compared to conditional probabilities and percentage differences. A group of dentists recruited from postgraduate courses were randomized to two of four arms, being two arms of a hypothetical realistic diagnostic scenario (a) and two arms of a hypothetical realistic treatment scenario (b): a1) diagnostic test results presented in conditional probabilities; a2) diagnostic test results presented in natural frequencies; b1) treatment efficacy presented in percentages; b2) treatment efficacy presented in natural frequencies. The main outcome measures were the correct answer as to whether disease was actually present (post-test probability) and the correct answer as the number of patients that would benefit from the treatment (efficacy). Secondary outcome measures included the decision whether to treat or not treat the hypothetical patient.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 101
• Est. completion date: December 13, 2016
• Est. primary completion date: December 13, 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Graduated dentist undergoing a postgraduate course in a public university in Rio de Janeiro.

Exclusion Criteria:

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Health Education

Intervention

Other:
• Dental health information form
The format in which dentists receive information about diagnostic test results and efficacy of treatment.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Rio de Janeiro State University

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	The probability that a patient will have a dental cavity as assessed by a dentist.	The assessement by the dentist was based on a questionnarie containing a clinical hypothetical situation and the result of a bite-wing radiographic exam.	Up to 20 minutes
Primary	The number of patients that will benefit from systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment as assessed by a dentist.	The assessement by the dentist was based on a questionnarie containing a clinical hypothetical situation and the information about the usual efficacy of systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment.	Up to 20 minutes
Secondary	The number of dentists that would recommend the use of systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment in the clinical management of a patient with periodontal disease.	The recommendation by the dentist was based on a questionnarie containing a clinical hypothetical situation and the information about the usual efficacy of systemic antibiotics adjunct to periodontal treatment.	Up to 20 minutes