Abstract Objective Self-isolation is a vital element of efforts to contain COVID-19. We set out to test whether decision aids can support self-isolation. Design We conducted a pre-registered online experiment with a nationally representative sample (n = 500). Three stages tested: (i) whether decision trees help people to decide whether they need to self-isolate; (ii) whether an online planning tool increases people’s confidence in their ability to self-isolate; and (iii) whether infographics help people to absorb advice on managing a household in which someone must self-isolate. Main Outcome Measures (i) Accuracy of matching symptom patterns to a response scale for the need to self-isolate; (ii) self-reported confidence in coping with self-isolation; (iii) objective tests of recall and comprehension. Results Decision trees improved decisions about when self-isolation was necessary, although participants systematically underestimated the need to self-isolate with less common COVID-19 symptoms (e.g. sore throat, fatigue). The online planning tool increased confidence about coping with self-isolation only among the adults aged under 40. Infographics improved recall and comprehension of how to manage self-isolation. Conclusion Decision aids can be used to support self-isolation during COVID-19. The study also demonstrates how even an emergency public health response can benefit from rapid experimental pre-testing of interventions.

中文翻译：

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在 COVID-19 大流行期间使用决策辅助支持自我隔离

摘要 目标自我隔离是遏制 COVID-19 的重要因素。我们着手测试决策辅助工具是否可以支持自我隔离。设计 我们使用具有全国代表性的样本（n = 500）进行了预先注册的在线实验。测试了三个阶段：(i) 决策树是否帮助人们决定是否需要自我隔离；(ii) 在线规划工具是否增强了人们对其自我隔离能力的信心；(iii) 信息图表是否有助于人们吸收有关管理必须自我隔离的家庭的建议。主要结果指标 (i) 将症状模式与自我隔离需要的反应量表相匹配的准确性；(ii) 自我报告的应对自我隔离的信心；(iii) 回忆和理解的客观测试。结果 决策树改进了关于何时需要自我隔离的决定，尽管参与者系统地低估了自我隔离的必要性，因为 COVID-19 症状较不常见（例如喉咙痛、疲劳）。在线规划工具仅在 40 岁以下的成年人中增强了应对自我隔离的信心。信息图表提高了对如何管理自我隔离的回忆和理解。结论 决策辅助工具可用于支持 COVID-19 期间的自我隔离。该研究还表明，即使是紧急公共卫生响应也能从干预措施的快速实验性预测试中受益。在线规划工具仅在 40 岁以下的成年人中增强了应对自我隔离的信心。信息图表提高了对如何管理自我隔离的回忆和理解。结论 决策辅助工具可用于支持 COVID-19 期间的自我隔离。该研究还表明，即使是紧急公共卫生响应也能从干预措施的快速实验性预测试中受益。在线规划工具仅在 40 岁以下的成年人中增强了应对自我隔离的信心。信息图表提高了对如何管理自我隔离的回忆和理解。结论 决策辅助工具可用于支持 COVID-19 期间的自我隔离。该研究还表明，即使是紧急公共卫生响应也能从干预措施的快速实验性预测试中受益。