Application of nudges to clinical decision support tools: A systematic approach guided by implementation science (Preprint)
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: BACKGROUND Clinical decision support (CDS) is one strategy to increase evidence-based practices by clinicians. Despite its potential, CDS tools have had mixed results and are often disliked by clinicians. Principles from behavioral economics, including “nudges,” may improve the effectiveness and clinician satisfaction of CDS tools. OBJECTIVE This paper outlines a pragmatic approach grounded in implementation science to identify and prioritize how to incorporate different types of nudges into CDS tools. METHODS We applied the Messenger, Incentives, Norms, Defaults, Salience, Priming, Affect, Commitments and Ego (MINDSPACE) nudge framework and the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) implementation science framework to systematically and pragmatically identify and prioritize different types of nudges for CDS tools. A case example of a CDS tool to improve guideline-concordant prescribing for patients with heart failure was used to illustrate how these frameworks can be applied in real-life scenarios. We describe a process of how these frameworks can be used pragmatically by clinicians and informaticists or more technical CDS builders to apply nudge theory to CDS tools. RESULTS Four iterative steps guided by PRISM were defined: 1) engage partners for user-centered design, 2) develop a shared understanding of the nudge types, 3) determine the nudge type for the overarching CDS format, and 4) brainstorm and prioritize nudge types and forms to address each modifiable contextual issue. These steps are iterative and intended to be adapted to align with the local resources and needs of various clinical scenarios and settings. We provide illustrative examples of how this approach was applied to the case example, including who we engaged, details of nudge design decisions, and lessons learned. CONCLUSIONS We present a pragmatic approach to guide the selection and prioritization of nudges, informed by implementation science. This approach can be used to comprehensively and systematically consider key issues in designing CDS to optimize clinician satisfaction, effectiveness, equity, and sustainability while minimizing the potential for unintended consequences. The findings can be adapted and generalized to other health settings and clinical situations, advancing the goals of learning health systems to expedite the translation of evidence into practice.
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4407994701