A qualitative evaluation of information leaflets for gastroscopy procedure

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Education
• Patient Information

Background:

• Effective patient preparation is essential for diagnostic gastroscopy.
• Existing literature indicates that current information leaflets often fall short of required standards.
• Inconsistent and inadequate pre-procedure information can impact patient understanding and experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality of written information provided to patients undergoing diagnostic gastroscopy.
• To assess compliance with British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines for patient information leaflets.
• To identify deficiencies in current patient preparation materials for gastroscopy.

Main Methods:

• A checklist based on BSG recommendations was used to evaluate leaflets.
• Leaflets were collected from a random sample of seven hospitals in Northern Ireland.
• The study focused on leaflets for patients undergoing gastroscopy as a day procedure.

Main Results:

• Significant variation was observed in the quantity of written materials provided across different hospital units.
• Inconsistencies in information were noted within the same hospital unit.
• Most leaflets lacked essential information, were confusing, or ambiguous.
• Potential risks were explained in only one leaflet, and sedative options were unclear in most.

Conclusions:

• Current patient information leaflets for diagnostic gastroscopy require substantial improvement.
• Addressing gaps and inconsistencies in written materials is necessary to enhance patient preparation and informed consent.
• Standardization and clarity of information are vital for patients undergoing gastroscopy.