Descriptive study to compare patient recall of information: nurse-taught versus video supplement

An important goal in oncology nursing is to provide outpatients receiving chemotherapy with adequate information about their treatment so they will be able to cope with treatment reactions and make appropriate decisions about seeking early medical attention when potentially serious side-effects occur. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate patient teaching strategies at one cancer centre. A comparative descriptive study design was employed. A group of patients receiving one-to-one nurse/patient teaching was compared to a group of patients receiving one-to-one nurse/patient teaching plus a take-home instructional chemotherapy video. The patient groups were compared with respect to: a) level of recall of chemotherapy information; b) the sources of information used; and c) preferred information sources. When the mean scores achieved on the chemotherapy knowledge questionnaire were compared, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. In fact, both groups showed a "high" level of information recall. Both patient groups reported using a variety of information sources to learn about their chemotherapy, however, for both groups the preferred sources of information were their direct health care providers. The results of the study raise interesting issues about the feasibility of developing "high-tech" patient education strategies.