A Decision-Aid Improves Clinician Practice and Associated Patient Compression Stocking Adherence
In brief
Digital decision-aid raises clinician documentation scores and improves patient stocking adherence
In a pilot study of 18 patients, occupational therapists using the PAMCAI tool recorded significantly better documentation of adherence, barrier identification, and interventions, and these higher scores were linked to greater patient wear of compression stockings. The findings suggest that clinician-focused decision aids can change practice and boost adherence, though larger trials are needed to confirm impact.
- Journal
- International wound journal (Q1)
- Published
- 1 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Laila Bar, Susan Brandis, Rachel Wenke, Darryn Marks
- PMID
- 42687702
- DOI
- 10.1111/iwj.71035
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Dermatology (top studies of the week, 6 September 2026): High-quality evidence in a top journal
Abstract
Adherence to compression stocking wear is essential for reducing venous leg ulcer recurrence, yet adherence rates remain low. This study examined the relationship between a novel digital clinical decision-aid (the Personalized and Multidimensional Compression Assessment and Intervention [PAMCAI]), clinician practice, and patient adherence with compression stocking use, by embedding a prospective comparative cohort study within a pilot randomized controlled trial. The clinical notes of occupational therapists using PAMCAI were compared with those not using PAMCAI on their documentation of adherence and frequency of wear, identification of patient-specific barriers and attempts to address barriers. The relationship between higher documentation scores and patient adherence was also explored. Thirty-six medical records from 18 patients demonstrated significantly higher documentation scores when PAMCAI was used for all three categories (p < 0.001). Improvements in adherence were positively associated with documentation quality in the targeted categories (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that PAMCAI supports practice changes that translate to improved patient adherence, highlighting the potential value of clinician-focused decision-aids in venous leg ulcer care.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.