Exploring older adults' tolerance of uncertainty in colorectal cancer screening decisions.
Hoda Fakhari, K D Valentine, Karen Sepucha and 7 others
PMID 41945984WHAT IT FOUND
Neither tolerance of ambiguity nor tolerance of complexity was linked to older adults' intentions to follow through with colorectal cancer screening.
Higher ambiguity tolerance was linked to greater perceived benefit, and tolerance of both types was linked to lower concern about harms.
Key findings
01Neither tolerance of ambiguity nor tolerance of complexity was associated with intentions to follow through with preferred colorectal cancer screening.
02Higher tolerance of ambiguity, but not complexity, was associated with higher perceived benefit of screening.
03Higher tolerance of both ambiguity and complexity was associated with lower concern about harms of colorectal cancer screening.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The data were cross-sectional, so they cannot show that uncertainty tolerance caused changes in perceived benefit, concern, or intentions. The sample was limited to older adults in a specific colorectal cancer screening context and was not nationally representative. Perceived benefit, concern, and intentions were measured with single items that were not validated. Tolerance of probability was excluded because its reliability was poor, so the study did not assess that uncertainty source. The study did not test whether assessing tolerance or tailoring shared decision making conversations improves patient understanding or decisions.
Declared interests
Dr. Atlas receives consulting fees from the National Committee for Quality Assurance related to colorectal cancer screening. Dr. Simmons has received expert witness consultation fees from the United States Department of Justice for consultation on cases involving cancer screening in primary care.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that assessing or tailoring to patients' tolerance of uncertainty will improve colorectal cancer screening decisions. The study measured associations only, and neither tolerance type was linked to screening intentions.