Combining risks estimations and clinical practice guidelines in a computer decision aid: a pilot study of the EsPeR system.

Many preventable diseases such as ischemic heart diseases or breast cancer are still not adequately managed in the population. Computerized decision support systems are one of the solutions for improving the quality of prevention strategies. We designed a system called EsPeR (Personalised Estimate of Risks) combining calculation of several risks and computerisation of guidelines (cardio-vascular prevention, screening for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cervix cancer, and prostate cancer, diagnosis of depression and suicide risk). We present a qualitative evaluation of its ergonomics, its understanding and acceptance by a group of general practitioners. We organised 4 focus groups comprising 6-11 general practitioners. Physicians worked on several structured clinical scenario with help of EsPeR, and 3 senior investigators leaded structured discussion sessions. Initial sessions identified several ergonomics flaws that were easily corrected. Both clinical scenari and discussion sessions identified several problems of insufficient comprehension (expression of risks, definition of familial history of disease), lack of knowledge, and acceptance of recommendation by both the physician. Educational and organisational components (i.e. time constraints) as well as acceptance of evidence-based decision-making should be taken into account before launching computerised decision support system, or testing them in randomised trials.