TABLE 1.

The 16 question DISCERN instrument

#	Question	Rating
1	Are the aims clear?	1	2	3	4	5
2	Does it achieve its aims?	1	2	3	4	5
3	Is it relevant?	1	2	3	4	5
4	Is it clear what sources of information were used to compile the publication (other than the author or producer)?	1	2	3	4	5
5	Is it clear when the information used or reported in the publication was produced?	1	2	3	4	5
6	Is it balanced and unbiased?	1	2	3	4	5
7	Does it provide details of additional sources of support and information?	1	2	3	4	5
8	Does it refer to areas of uncertainty?	1	2	3	4	5
9	Does it describe how each treatment works?	1	2	3	4	5
10	Does it describe the benefits of each treatment?	1	2	3	4	5
11	Does it describe the risks of each treatment?	1	2	3	4	5
12	Does it describe what would happen if no treatment is used?	1	2	3	4	5
13	Does it describe how the treatment choices affect overall quality of life?	1	2	3	4	5
14	Is it clear that there may be more than one possible treatment choice?	1	2	3	4	5
15	Does it provide support for shared decision making?	1	2	3	4	5
16	Based on the answers to all of these questions, rate the overall quality of the publication as a source of information about treatment choices	1	2	3	4	5