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Optimizing the consent process for emergent laparoscopic cholecystectomy using an interactive digital education
Anood Alqaydi1, Erin Williams1, Sulaiman Nanji1
1Department of Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Surgical Endoscopy
|March 19, 2024
Summary
Digital education platforms (DEPs) significantly enhance patient understanding of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) risks and benefits in acute care settings. This method improves both immediate and delayed knowledge retention compared to standard verbal consent alone.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Consent
- Patient Understanding
Background:
- Informed consent is crucial for all surgeries.
- Digital education platforms (DEPs) can improve patient comprehension and standardize consent, particularly in elective settings.
- The efficacy of DEPs as an adjunct to standard verbal consent (SVC) in acute care has not been previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a DEP combined with SVC versus SVC alone in improving patient knowledge and understanding of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).
- To assess the impact of DEPs on both immediate and delayed knowledge retention and patient satisfaction in an acute care environment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted with 79 patients undergoing LC in an emergency department.
- Participants were randomized to receive either a DEP module with SVC or SVC alone.
- Knowledge and understanding were assessed via questionnaires immediately post-intervention and at a delayed follow-up, with satisfaction also measured.
Main Results:
- The intervention group (DEP + SVC) demonstrated significantly higher immediate post-intervention knowledge (85.2% vs. 78.2%, p=0.004) and greater self-reported understanding of risks and benefits (68.5% vs. 55.1%, p=0.001) compared to the control group (SVC alone).
- Improved knowledge retention was observed in the DEP group at delayed assessment (86.5% vs. 79.8%, p=0.024).
- No significant difference in patient satisfaction with the consent discussion was found between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Integrating DEPs with SVC significantly enhances patients' immediate and delayed comprehension of LC risks and benefits within an acute care setting.
- DEPs offer a valuable tool for improving patient education and informed consent processes in emergency surgical contexts.
- While patient understanding is improved, further research may be needed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with the consent process.
