IMPARTER, Phase 1 of an intervention to improve patients’ understanding of gene expression profiling tests in breast cancer

Purpose To compare participants’ knowledge about gene expression profiling (GEP) tests and recurrence risks after reading an information leaflet with that following viewing of an information film. Methods Using a randomised cross-over design, at time-point one (T1), women aged 45–75 years without breast cancer either read leaflets or watched information films about Onco type DX or Prosigna tests. Participants answered nine questions assessing knowledge (maximum score 18). Next-day information in the opposite modality was provided and knowledge re-assessed. Additional questions probed which format was easiest to understand, participants’ preferences for film or leaflet and their reasons for these. Results 120 women participated (60 received Onco type DX films and leaflets; 60 received the Prosigna versions). T1 mean knowledge scores were higher following film viewing (13.37) compared with that after reading leaflets (9.25) (mean difference 4.1; p