Developing a visual aid to improve women's knowledge of hysterectomy

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Communication
• Patient Decision-Making

Background:

• Female reproductive anatomy and low health literacy can hinder understanding of gynecologic procedures.
• This complexity complicates patient decision-making for procedures like hysterectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a visual aid for hysterectomy.
• The goal was to effectively communicate risks, benefits, and outcomes of surgical approaches.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involved focus groups with non-clinical employees.
• A 5-minute video on hysterectomy was developed and presented.
• Feedback was gathered to refine the visual aid.

Main Results:

• Participants desired more information on post-hysterectomy quality of life and general hysterectomy details.
• The video was seen as a valuable aid for improving patient communication prior to surgery.

Conclusions:

• Video-based patient education shows promise but requires refinement for clarity on risks and aftercare.
• Involving patients earlier and ensuring culturally appropriate translations are key for future development.