Figure 1.

Patient comparison. This screenshot from the survey shows two hypothetical patients compared side by side. The table provides information about nine different clinical variables that might influence decision-making about red blood cell transfusions in dialysis. The respondent is instructed to select the patient more likely to require a transfusion. Based on the response, the computer selects a new comparison and continues this process until it can reliably rank order the relative importance assigned to each of nine clinical variables and their levels. EKG, electrocardiogram; ESA, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; FIT, fecal immunochemical test; FOBT, fecal occult blood; TSAT, transferrin saturation; TIBC, total iron-binding capacity.