Helping patients decide about back surgery: a randomized trial of an interactive video program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Communication
• Surgical Decision Making

Background:

• Geographic variations in lumbar spine surgery suggest a need for improved patient understanding.
• Informed patient preferences are crucial for surgical decisions, but optimal patient education strategies are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of an interactive videodisc with a booklet versus a booklet alone in educating patients about back surgery.
• To assess patient knowledge, reactions, and treatment preferences after educational interventions.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial involving 100 patients with low back pain considered for surgery.
• Patients were assigned to receive either an interactive videodisc (with booklet) or a booklet only.
• Knowledge tests and patient preference assessments were conducted at baseline and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Both interventions improved patient knowledge; the videodisc-booklet group showed significantly greater gains, especially in those with lower baseline knowledge.
• The videodisc-booklet group found materials easier to understand and more adequate for treatment choice.
• Fewer patients in the videodisc-booklet group preferred surgery compared to the booklet-only group.

Conclusions:

• An interactive videodisc combined with a booklet enhances patient knowledge about back surgery more effectively than a booklet alone.
• This combined approach may improve patient involvement in clinical decisions regarding lumbar spine surgery.
• Patient preference for surgery was slightly reduced with the videodisc intervention.