A randomized trial using videotape to present consent information for colonoscopy

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Communication
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Effective patient education is crucial for informed consent and adherence.
• Traditional in-person discussions may have limitations in information retention.
• Assessing novel methods to enhance patient understanding of medical procedures is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of a videotaped physician presentation versus an in-person discussion in conveying information about colonoscopy.
• To evaluate the impact of different educational formats on patient knowledge and anxiety levels.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 201 patients undergoing colonoscopy.
• Patients were assigned to three groups: video plus discussion, video alone, or discussion alone.
• Knowledge was assessed using a validated 13-item test; anxiety was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Main Results:

• Patients receiving information via video (either alone or with discussion) scored significantly higher on the knowledge test (p < 0.001) than those receiving discussion alone.
• No significant difference in knowledge scores was found between the video-only and video-plus-discussion groups (p = 0.32).
• Increased understanding of procedure risks and benefits did not correlate with increased anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Videotaped physician presentations are more effective than in-person discussions alone for improving patient knowledge of colonoscopy.
• Video-based educational tools can enhance patient comprehension and may be applicable to other invasive procedures.
• This approach offers potential for physician time savings and facilitates more personalized patient consultations.