Table 5.
Average score (95% CI) for each item in the DISCERN instrument.
| Quality criterion | Value | |
| Section 1: reliability, mean (SD) | ||
|
|
Are the aims clear? | 3.1 (0.3) |
|
|
Does it achieve its aims? | 4.1 (0.3) |
|
|
Is it relevant? | 3.7 (0.3) |
|
|
Is it clear what sources of information were used to compile the publication (other than the author or producer)? | 2.6 (0.4) |
|
|
Is it clear when the information used or reported in the publication was produced? | 2.6 (0.5) |
|
|
Is it balanced and unbiased? | 2.7 (0.3) |
|
|
Does it provide details of additional sources of support and information? | 2.6 (0.3) |
|
|
Does it refer to areas of uncertainty? | 2.0 (0.4) |
| Total reliability score, mean (SD) | 23.4 (1.8) | |
| Section 2: quality, mean (SD) | ||
|
|
Does it describe how each treatment works? | 3.4 (0.4) |
|
|
Does it describe the benefits of each treatment? | 2.8 (0.4) |
|
|
Does it describe the risks of each treatment? | 3.0 (0.9) |
|
|
Does it describe what would happen if no treatment were used? | 3.1 (0.4) |
|
|
Does it describe how the treatment choices affect overall quality of life? | 2.5 (0.3) |
|
|
Is it clear that there may be more than one possible treatment choice? | 3.1 (0.3) |
|
|
Does it provide support for shared decision-making? | 3.0 (0.4) |
| Total quality score, mean (SD) | 19.2 (1.6) | |
| Overall rating of sites, mean (SD) | 3.0 (0.3) | |
| Total DISCERN scores, mean (SD) | 45.7 (3.3) | |