Patients' perception of preoperative information by interactive computer program-exemplified by cholecystectomy

Patients' perception of preoperative information by interactive computer program informing about cholecystectomy was assessed. Patients were asked to qualify the computer program after hospital discharge by an anonymous questionnaire. Two hundred and fifty-seven of 278 consecutive patients completed the questionnaire resulting in a response rate of 92%. Sixty-three percent were very satisfied and 37% were satisfied, whereas none were dissatisfied or undecided. Patients' satisfaction was not associated with sex, age, surgeon or prior knowledge of computers. Most of the patients considered the clarity of text and illustrations and the volume of information as good or excellent and found the information well adapted to their prior knowledge. Ninety-eight percent stated that they would like to be informed again by an interactive computer program in case of another surgical intervention. Thus, interactive computer programs seem to be a valuable adjunct to written and oral information in the preoperative informed consent procedure.