Impact of an Auditory Mediated Patient Health Education

• Published in: Patient preference and adherence 2022-05, Vol.16, p.1247
• Main Authors: Khateeb, Shafait Ullah, Baba, Suheel Manzoor, Mittal, Rashmi, Deep, Anchal, Hakami, Areej M, Sindi, Abdulelah Sameer, Algarni, Youssef Abdullah, Mattoo, Khurshid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Control; Epidemics; Management; Methods; Patient compliance; Patient education; Prosthodontics; Social aspects; Surveys
• ISSN: 1177-889X; 1177-889X

Background: Patients health education by healthcare workers has been affected by pandemic guidelines. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an audio-mediated intervention for patient health education (PHE) on treatment compliance and treatment satisfaction among patients seeking prosthodontic treatment during the Covid pandemic. Methods: A total of 666 patients (aged 40-70 years) who fulfilled the study criteria were treated for denture-associated disease. PHE for 5 different categories was performed using an educational audio (MP3) in the experimental group (Group E), and traditional methods (oral/verbal) in the control group (Group C). Patient/clinician satisfaction with the PHE program was evaluated with a pre-validated questionnaire, whereas treatment compliance and satisfaction were evaluated using a denture hygiene index (DHI) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Differences between qualitative variables were determined using the chi-square test, whereas continuous variables were assessed using an unpaired t-test. Differences were considered to be statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: Patient satisfaction with PHE was significantly higher and differed in the Group E for two parameters: education method (80%), educational material (94%). For all parameters of procedural education, patient/clinician satisfaction was significantly higher for Group E [method (93%), material (85%), patient preparation (89%), personalized education (84%), program (93%)]. From three different ratings of disease education, 70% in Group E rated education as "effective" as compared to 41% in the Group C. Effectiveness of post treatment, education measured through DHI, revealed a lower hygiene score in Group E (m = 1.18) as compared to Group C (m = 2.92), with differences being significant. For treatment satisfaction, patients in Group E rated higher for speech (m = 8.21), ease of chewing (m = 7.36), and general satisfaction (m = 7.9). Conclusion: This study concluded that using audio as a means of imparting PHE positively influences the treatment compliance and satisfaction among outpatients and overcomes the drawback of wearing mask during the pandemic. Keywords: patient education, prosthodontics, treatment satisfaction, denture hygiene, multimedia, patient compliance