Audio-video decision support for patients: the documentary genre as a basis for decision aids

Objective Decision support tools are increasingly using audio-visual materials. However, disagreement exists about the use of audio-visual materials as they may be subjective and biased. Methods This is a literature review of the major texts for documentary film studies to extrapolate issues of objectivity and bias from film to decision support tools. Results The key features of documentary films are that they attempt to portray real events and that the attempted reality is always filtered through the lens of the filmmaker. The same key features can be said of decision support tools that use audio-visual materials. Three concerns arising from documentary film studies as they apply to the use of audio-visual materials in decision support tools include whose perspective matters (stakeholder bias), how to choose among audio-visual materials (selection bias) and how to ensure objectivity (editorial bias). Discussion Decision science needs to start a debate about how audio-visual materials are to be used in decision support tools. Simply because audio-visual materials may be subjective and open to bias does not mean that we should not use them. Conclusion Methods need to be found to ensure consensus around balance and editorial control, such that audio-visual materials can be used.