Evaluation of a Decision-Support Tool for Blood Biomarker Testing for Alzheimer's Disease in Primary Care

Pilot Evaluation of a Tool to Support Communication About Blood Biomarker Testing for Cognitive Complaints in Primary Care

The goal of the current study is to evaluate a decision-support tool intended to help primary care providers (PCPs) communicate with patients about blood biomarker testing for Alzheimer's Disease, enhancing shared-decision making and information sharing in the clinical space. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the decision-support tool accepted and easy to use for PCPs?
• Does using the tool improve shared decision-making during clinical encounters? Researchers will compare clinical encounters between PCPs who do not use the tool to discuss blood biomarker testing for Alzheimer's Disease, versus PCPs who have been trained to utilize the tool during clinical encounters to see whether the tool effectively facilitates shared-decision making.

This pilot study will determine the acceptability and usability of a decision-support tool for primary care providers (PCPs) and assess the feasibility of recruitment techniques in preparation for a later trial. The study includes two high-fidelity simulation components.

Simulation 1: The investigators will assess the usability and acceptability of the decision-support tool through direct observation and surveys of PCPs participating in high-fidelity simulations of clinical encounters (N=15). The hypothesis is that the decision-support tool will be acceptable and usable by PCPs.

Simulation 2: The investigators will compare the effect of the decision-support tool on shared decision-making (SDM) in high-fidelity simulated clinical encounters conducted with the tool versus without the tool (N=25 per arm). The hypothesis is that shared decision-making will increase in encounters using the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Simulation 1 and Simulation 2: PCPs with experience and interest in cognitive diagnosis.
• Simulation 2: community dwelling older adults age 50 or older are eligible.

Exclusion Criteria (PCP): none

Participant Exclusion Criteria:

• Not fluent in English
• age <50 years
• pre-existing diagnosis of cognitive impairment
• having an activated medical decision-make r or not living independently in the community.

There will be no exclusion based upon sex/gender, race, or ethnicity.