Abstract
Background
In the current climate of increasing awareness, patients are demanding more knowledge about forthcoming operations. The patient information accounts for a considerable part of the physician’s daily clinical routine. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the information is understood by the patient after solely verbal elucidation. To optimise information delivery, different auxiliary materials are used.
Methods
In a prospective study, 52 consecutive stationary patients, scheduled for an elective lumbar disc operation were asked to use a web-based audiovisual patient information system. A combination of pictures, text, tone and video about the planned surgical intervention is installed on a tablet personal computer presented the day before surgery. All patients were asked to complete a questionnaire.
Results
Eighty-four percent of all participants found that the audiovisual patient information system lead to a better understanding of the forthcoming operation. Eighty-two percent found that the information system was a very helpful preparation before the pre-surgical interview with the surgeon. Ninety percent of all participants considered it meaningful to provide this kind of preoperative education also to patients planned to undergo other surgical interventions. Eighty-four percent were altogether “very content” with the audiovisual patient information system and 86% would recommend the system to others.
Conclusions
This new approach of patient information had a positive impact on patient education as is evident from high satisfaction scores. Because patient satisfaction with the informed consent process and understanding of the presented information improved substantially, the audiovisual patient information system clearly benefits both surgeons and patients.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agre P, Kurtz RC, Krauss BJ (1994) A randomized trial using videotape to present consent information for colonoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 40:271–276
Hermann C, Gautschi OP, Hildebrandt G, Fournier JY (2009) Web based audiovisual patient information system—a pilot study of the preoperative patient information. Praxis (Bern 1994) 98:695–701
Hermann KS, Kreuzer H (1989) A randomized prospective study on anxiety reduction by preparatory disclosure with and without video film show about a planned heart catheterization. Eur Heart J 10:753–757
Hermann M (2002) 3-dimensional computer animation—a new medium for supporting patient education before surgery. Acceptance and assessment of patients based on a prospective randomized study—picture versus text. Chirurg 73:500–507
Klima S, Hein W, Hube A, Hube R (2005) Multimedia preoperative patient information. Chirurg 76:398–403
Krupp W, Spanehl O, Laubach W, Seifert V (2000) Informed consent in neurosurgery: patients’ recall of preoperative discussion. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 142:233–239
Lévêque M, Dimitriu C, Gustin T, Jamart J, Gilliard C, Bojanowski MW (2007) Evaluation of neurooncology information for French speaking patients on the Internet. Neurochirurgie 53:343–355
Marteau TM, Kidd J, Michie S, Cook R, Johnston M, Shaw RW (1993) Anxiety, knowledge and satisfaction in women receiving false positive results on routine prenatal screening: a randomized controlled trial. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 14:185–196
Mason V, McEwan A, Walker D, Barrett S, James D (2003) The use of video information in obtaining consent for female sterilisation: a randomised study. BJOG 110:1062–1107
Zieren J, Paul M, Menenakos C, Neuss H, Müller JM (2007) First clinical experiences with a video presentation informing patients before surgery for inguinal hernia. Chirurg 77:150–153
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all of the patients who took part in the study and Dr. Peter Ueberschlag for the development and analysis of the questionnaire. We also thank Dr. Mark Rudin for his editorial support and the reviewers for their valuable comments.
Conflict of interest
The authors do not report any conflict of interest concerning the materials and methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper.
Funding
There was no funding for this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gautschi, O.P., Stienen, M.N., Hermann, C. et al. Web-based audiovisual patient information system—a study of preoperative patient information in a neurosurgical department. Acta Neurochir 152, 1337–1341 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-010-0663-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-010-0663-0