Table 1 Pilot-testing questionnaire content (stage 1)

Demographic data, including current age, age at diagnosis, relationship status, postcode of residence, country of birth, time lived in Australia, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, first language spoken, level of English, highest education level, medical and allied health training, employment status, profession, parity and menopausal status.

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Importance of fertility at time of diagnosis (very, somewhat, not at all) and plans for future children (yes/no, when).

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Data on cancer treatment and fertility specialist referrals for previous cancer treatment, as well as fertility treatments accessed.

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Knowledge of breast cancer treatment and fertility preservation assessed using 10 items from a knowledge scale previously used [12], adapted for people with low health literacy. Correct responses will be summed for a knowledge score.

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Acceptability: how the decision aid was accessed (time spent working through materials, thoroughness) and perceptions about the content (amount of information, length, presentation, appeal, ease of reading, order of topics, pace, balance, confusion, direction, clarity).

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Acceptability: how the decision aid was accessed (thoroughness) and perceptions about the content (presentation, appeal, ease of reading, clarity).

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Perceived improvement in understanding: six items specifically designed to assess perceived improvement in understanding of the impact of cancer treatment on fertility and of fertility treatment on the cancer prognosis and the pros and cons associated with each available fertility option. Response options ranging from ‘not at all’ to ‘a lot’.

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Satisfaction with the decision aid: evaluating the amount of information, length, balance, direction and presentation of the decision aid using structured response categories. Also, specific questions regarding the ease of understanding of particular sections of the decision aid will be included.

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Emotional impact of the decision aid: if the decision aid (or specific sections of the decision aid) is reassuring, causes worry, concern or distress, and whether the decision aid would have helped them cope better with their situation. Response options ranging from “not at all” to “very much so”.

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Relevance of the decision aid: perceived relevance of the decision aid will be determined using two Likert-style questions asking participants to indicate how relevant they felt the information would have been at the time of diagnosis and how helpful the decision aid would have been in reaching their decision. One item will assess whether participants would recommend the decision aid to others in the same situation.

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Open-ended questions: space will be provided for participants to comment on their satisfaction with the decision aid, the relevance of the decision aid to their situation and the emotional impact of the decision aid. Women will also be asked to identify areas which require more or less detail, their preferred order of topics and for their general suggestions for improvement.

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Comparison of decision aids: selection of which decision aid was more helpful and why; selection of which decision aid was easier to read and understand and why; overall preferred decision aid and why.

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