Video preparation for breast cancer treatment planning: results of a randomized clinical trial

This paper reports results of a randomized controlled trial of a preparatory videotape to reduce distress and increase preparedness among 79 recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. Patients were randomly assigned to view a 19-min video developed for this study, or to a written pamphlet control condition. The video included physician interviews, doctor-patient interaction, and a description of a typical patient's experience at the clinic. Baseline measures included demographic characteristics, history of mental health treatment, personality, and distress (depression, anxiety, helplessness). Outcome measures included distress, quality of life, patient satisfaction, readiness to ask questions of doctor, and participation in the appointment. Results showed that among minority patients, those in the video condition were more satisfied with the overall clinic appointment. Among unmarried patients, those in the video condition tended to have lower distress. Among patients with a history of mental health treatment, those in the video condition tended to have higher quality of life. Among patients working at least half time, those in the video condition were more prepared to ask questions of their doctors. Results suggest that video preparation of cancer patients can be effective, and may be most likely to benefit patients who are vulnerable or underserved.