Visual teaching aids improve patient understanding and reduce anxiety prior to a colectomy.
Am J Surg
; 222(4): 780-785, 2021 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33541690
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Informed consent forms consist of large blocks of written information that may be difficult for patients to understand. Visual teaching aids are promising, however, they have not been studied as a pre-operative educational tool for common surgical procedures. We pilot tested the use of a visual teaching aid during the informed consent process for a colectomy.METHODS:
A randomized pilot study was performed. Participants were randomized into the visual teaching aid group or standard care. Following the consent process, participants were questioned about potential surgical complications, anxiety, satisfaction, and understanding.RESULTS:
30 participants were enrolled. Potential complication recall and patient-reported understanding were improved in the visual group (p = 0.01, p = 0.03). Anxiety levels were reduced in the visual group (p = 0.02). No statistically significant data were found for satisfaction (p = 0.75).CONCLUSIONS:
Utilizing a visual teaching aid during the consent process for colectomy increases patient recall of risks, reduces anxiety, and improves understanding.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Anxiety
/
Audiovisual Aids
/
Patient Education as Topic
/
Colectomy
/
Health Literacy
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Surg
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Publication country:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
/
EUA
/
UNITED STATES
/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
/
US
/
USA