Prolapse Education Video for Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

There are significant deficiencies in the general population's knowledge of pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Educational videos can equip patients with a better understanding of POP.

The objectives of this study were to assess whether a previsit POP educational video improves patient satisfaction with their management decision. Secondary outcomes were POP knowledge, patient perception of knowledge, decision conflict, physician perception of patient comprehension, and counseling ease.

This was a physician-blinded, randomized trial. Thirty-seven participants with POP symptoms were assigned to watch a previsit video (video group, n=18) or no video (control group, n=19). Eligibility included age 18 years or older, initial POP evaluation, English-speaking, internet access, and no prior POP treatment, pregnancy, or cognitive disability. Participants completed a baseline, postvisit, and postmanagement survey, which included the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge-POP Questionnaire (PIKQ-POP), a self-assessment of POP knowledge, the Satisfaction with Decision Scale for Pelvic Floor Disorders (SDS-PFD), and decision conflict questions. The counseling physicians were surveyed on their perceptions of patient comprehension and counseling ease.

After the initial visit, mean SDS-PFD scores were similar (4.89 vs. 4.78; P=0.44). However, the change in PIKQ-POP scores was greater in the video group (2.69 vs. 1.13; P=0.03). The change in self-perception of POP knowledge was also greater in the video group (1.72 vs. 1.05, P=0.02). There were no major differences in decision conflict, physician counseling ease, or perception of patient comprehension.

POP video education as a supplemental resource to health care provider counseling did not improve patient decision satisfaction. It may improve POP knowledge from baseline though this study was not powered for this outcome.