An Educational Intervention (CQUPLE) for Decreasing Over-treatment of Patients with Low-risk Thyroid Cancer
This clinical trial evaluates the impact of an educational intervention, CQUPLE, for improving treatment decisions and reducing over-treatment in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer. Nearly 90% of patients with low-risk thyroid cancer undergo extensive surgery even though there are non-surgical and less invasive options available. Over-treatment of these patients can result in significant patient harm and costs. Educational interventions may improve patient knowledge of available treatment options, reduce over-treatment, and increase their ability to participate in the treatment decision-making process. CQUPLE is an educational intervention that includes a chart of side-by-side, evidence-based information on treatment options, as well as a question prompt list that suggests questions they may consider asking the surgeon. Providing patients with the CQUPLE intervention may improve their awareness of less invasive treatment options and outcome expectations and increase the use of less invasive treatment options in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.