Enhancing Informed Choice to Undergo Health Screening: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of health screening interventions aimed at enhancing informed choice. Methods: Studies were selected if (1) they were randomized controlled trials conducted between January 1, 2000, and March 30, 2010, (2) participants in one arm under­went a prescreening intervention aimed at improving informed choice, and (3) in­formed choice was the primary outcome. Results: Eight studies that met the in­clusion criteria involved screening for prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, and diabetes. Five of the 8 prescreen­ing interventions led to greater informed choice. Conclusions: With researchers mindful of the limited number of stud­ies, findings were encouraging, but con­clusions regarding the most effective ways of facilitating informed choice for screening are at best tentative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]