PURPOSE: We previously identified patient need for a decision aid on oral corticosteroid (OCS) use during pregnancy that could be used to support discussions between providers and patients. In the current study, we aimed to identify healthcare provider needs for a decision aid on OCS use during pregnancy and then evaluated the usefulness of the decision aid that we developed. METHODS: Before developing a decision aid on OCS use during pregnancy, we conducted semi-structured interviews with providers from one health system to understand needs for an aid for counseling patients about OCS use during pregnancy. To assess the usefulness of the decision aid that we developed, providers reviewed the decision aid and responded to survey questions. Also, the survey assessed provider knowledge regarding counseling on OCS use during pregnancy before and after reviewing the aid (knowledge scores range 0-15). RESULTS: In interviews, all providers (n = 13) reported that a patient-facing decision aid would be useful when discussing OCS use during pregnancy because it would give information to patients and providers, and it would facilitate decision making. Among the providers who participated in the survey (n = 68), two-thirds reported after reviewing the aid that they would usually or always use the decision aid in conversations about OCS treatment during pregnancy. All survey participants reported that they would recommend the decision aid to colleagues. Overall, providers' median knowledge score improved by 1 (IQ range 3) after reviewing the decision aid (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We established the usefulness of a decision aid on OCS use during pregnancy for providers.
We developed and evaluated a decision aid about oral corticosteroid (OCS) use during pregnancy. First, we interviewed 13 healthcare providers to understand their needs for a decision aid that can be used to counsel patients about OCS use during pregnancy. After we developed the aid, 68 providers reviewed the aid and participated in a survey to assess the usefulness of the aid. All interviewed providers believed that a patient‐facing decision aid would be useful when discussing OCS use during pregnancy with patients. They believed it would give information to the patient and the provider, and it would increase discussion and help patients make decisions. Two‐thirds of survey participants reported that they would usually or always use the decision aid to have a conversation about OCS use during pregnancy. All survey participants reported that they would recommend the decision aid to colleagues. Overall, provider knowledge of counseling on OCS use during pregnancy improved after reading the aid.