An interventional study of Test Performance Information: High Detail and Test Performance Information: Low Detail in Early Detection of Cancer, sponsored by Trustees of Dartmouth College. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 40 Years to 74 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-28.
Sponsored by Trustees of Dartmouth College · Not applicable, Interventional, and Health services research
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn what people's informational preferences and risk perceptions are in regards to the use of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests. Participants will be asked to review three informational factors about MCED tests and complete a survey about their intentions to use an MCED test. Some participants will also be asked to complete an interview.
This is a clinical trial using a randomized vignette design where the vignette sequentially introduces 3 information factors to participants. This allows for the effect of each informational factor to be tested in the context of the preceding sequence of factors. In this study, the investigators will deliver the vignette in three phases, varying the level of detail of one factor in each phase, resulting in 8 combinations of study conditions. Participants will be randomly assigned to these conditions and repeated measures of outcomes of interest will be derived from survey assessments conducted after each informational factor is presented. At the end of trial participation, respondents will be invited to participate in one qualitative interview lasting 30-45 minutes.
Trustees of Dartmouth College is the lead sponsor of 38 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: High Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: Low Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: Low Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: High Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: High Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: High Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: High Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: Low Detail
Behavioral: Test Performance Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Diagnostic Workup Information: Low Detail · Behavioral: Test and Workup Cost Information: Low Detail
The test performance data presented in the vignette will focus on established evidentiary standards for the evaluation of screening tests: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the ability of tests to find specific cancers and more early-stage cancers. The high numerical detail condition will utilize these numbers and present them according to the decision aid criteria for presenting treatment option data and addressing health literacy.
The low numerical detail condition will describe the potential for false positives and use descriptions to denote qualitatively performance (high, acceptable, moderate, low). The test performance data presented in the vignette will focus on established evidentiary standards for the evaluation of screening tests: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the ability of tests to find specific cancers and more early-stage cancers.
The high numerical data will use diagnostic workup data from the most up-to-date findings at the time of survey fielding. Data will be presented on the number of positive tests, follow up included (type and properties of tests), likelihood of receiving each type of test upon a positive findings, and data on median length of time to diagnostic resolution for both true positives and false positives.
The low numerical detail condition will describe the possibility of further testing (more blood tests, imaging, and/or procedures) that may be required if the multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test has a positive finding, in line with prior studies communicating about MCED test workup.
Cost estimates will include insurance and out of pocket costs associated with various pathways of diagnostic workup. The investigators will use test cost estimates based on market rates and insurance coverage mandates at the time of fielding the survey. The high numerical data condition will provide precise estimates conditioned on level of workup and insurance coverage. As above, the final content will be informed by new information that may be gleaned from ongoing studies.
The low numerical data will provide broad ranges of diagnostic costs, indicating what costs are covered by insurance, and which are not.
Decisional Conflict
A validated 10-item scale scored 0-100 that assesses decisional conflict using a 3-point Likert for each item; Includes 4 subscales: informed, uncertainty, values clarity, and support. The full scale will be administered after the third vignette is presented (Time 3).
Time frame: 24 hours
Screening Intentions
Validated 2 item measure including 1-item measuring intentions on 100 point scale and 1 decision question (yes/no/unsure). This will be assessed at the end of each vignette (Time 1, 2, 3).
Time frame: 24 hours
Informed Subscale of the Decisional Conflict Scale
3 Items from the Decisional Conflict Scale will measure how informed participants feel about available options for MCED testing, benefits of MCED testing, and risks of MCED testing. Each is rated on the 3-point scale (yes/no/unsure). This will be assessed at the end of each vignette (Time 1, 2, 3).
Time frame: 24 hours
Uncertainty Subscale of the Decisional Conflict Scale
Two items from the Decisional Conflict Scale will measure uncertainty about the decision to use MCED tests. This will include feeling clear about the best choice for the participant, and feeling sure about what to choose. Each is rated on the 3-point scale (yes/no/unsure). This will be assessed at the end of each vignette (Time 1, 2, 3).
Time frame: 24 hours
Plan to share: Yes — Based on ethical considerations related to the protection of human subjects, the following data produced during the project will be preserved and shared: Survey responses Survey weights Qualitative interview data, deidentified and without any participant identifiers beyond assigned study group, state, and limited sociodemographic characteristics The investigators will seek to share as much data as possible while maintaining a de-identified dataset without protected health information. Thus, the final shared data set will not include geographic subdivisions smaller than the state level, dates, birth dates, contact information, or other identification numbers. Data available to be shared will be archived in the University of Michigan ICPSR data repository, which was chosen for its focus on social and behavioral data that align with the nature of data collected in this project.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Analytic code
Time frame: Data will be made available no later than time of an associated publication or end of the performance period, whichever comes first. Data will be available for 5 years from the end of the study period.
Access criteria: Requests for access to the data will be managed by the repository. Requests will indicate intended use of the data, protections to be put in place to ensure secure data transfer, and to formulate a data use agreement, if applicable.
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Trustees of Dartmouth College