Development and Pilot-Testing of a Patient Decision Aid for Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement

We developed the decision aid in line with the Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) and the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS) for ensuring quality, patient-centered content. Structured interviews were conducted with patients, caregivers, candidates for LVAD treatment, and expert clinicians (n=71) to generate content based on patient values and decisional needs, and providers’ perspectives on knowledge needs for informed consent. The aid was alpha tested through cognitive interviews (n=5) and acceptability tested with LVAD patients (n=10), candidates (n=10), and clinicians (n=13). Patients, caregivers and clinicians reported they would recommend the aid to patients considering treatment options for heart failure. Patients and caregivers agreed that the decision aid is a balanced tool presenting risks and benefits of LVAD treatment and generating discussion about aspects of heart failure treatment that matter most to patients. Citation: Kostick, K. et al. (2016). “Development and Pilot-Testing of a Patient Decision Aid for Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement ," The VAD Journal, 2. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/VAD.2 016.01