The goal of this study is to learn if a decision aid (DA) website helps people with thyroid cancer make informed decisions about radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Does the decision aid help participants understand the risks and benefits of RAI treatment? - Does it help participants make choices that reflect what matters most to them? - How does the decision aid compare to usual care in supporting patients through this decision? Participants who have been recently diagnosed with intermediate-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive a special decision aid website. This site includes detailed information about RAI, short videos, drop-down menus with extra details, exercises to help clarify values, and tools to help patients prepare questions for their doctor. The other group will receive the American Cancer Society (ACS) website. This site gives basic information about RAI but does not include interactive tools and is not specific to intermediate-risk thyroid cancer. Follow up surveys will be sent to the participants periodically, first at the start of the study, and again at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months later.
Researchers will compare how the two groups differ in making informed decisions. The decision aid is meant to support, not replace, a conversation with the medical team. Doctor recommendations remain an important part of treatment decisions.
Patients aged 18 and older
Patients diagnosed with intermediate risk DTC < 6 months ago and who are making a decision about RAI treatment
Ability to understand the information conveyed in the informed consent form, pose questions and process answers (e.g., no cognitive impairment per direct consultation with the patient's physician), and, finally, provided informed consent to participate.
Participants willingness to be contacted and remain available to complete study activities throughout the duration of the study.
Diagnosis of low risk or high risk DTC
Prior history of RAI
Clinical contraindications that prevent consideration of RAI (e.g., pregnancy, lactation, neutropenia if considering high dose of RAI)
Georgetown University
Lead sponsor
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Collaborator