Description and feasibility of MINDSET: A clinic decision aid for epilepsy self-management

Decision-support aids can assist health-care providers (HCPs) and patients in epilepsy self-management. This paper describes MINDSET (Management Information Decision Support Epilepsy Tool), a self-management decision aid on a portable tablet PC designed to obtain a patient's self-management profile and cue goal-directed communication, and presents the results of a test of its feasibility as a clinical tool. The use of MINDSET in clinical settings was tested with adult patients and their HCPs at three participating neurology clinics in Houston, Texas. Feasibility was assessed using quantitative and qualitative methods to determine acceptability and perceived value. The Management Information Decision Support Epilepsy Tool identified between 2 and 13 self-management problem domains per patient prompting corresponding discussion. Patients rated MINDSET as likeable, credible, helpful, and understandable (>72% agreement); 51.5% also required assistance to use the program. Health-care provider ratings were positive for ease, thoroughness, accuracy, and communication. They were negative for time-on-task. Patients rated time, joint decision-making, and communication favorably. The Management Information Decision Support Epilepsy Tool appears to be a feasible aid for identification and communication regarding epilepsy self-management in the clinic. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.