The Use of Multimedia as an Adjunct to the Informed Consent Process for Ankle Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

Background. Obtaining “informed consent” is an integral aspect of surgery that can be fraught with difficulty. This study assessed the efficacy of a multimedia education tool in improving patients’ understanding when used as an adjunct to the traditional verbal consent process regarding ankle latera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Foot and ankle specialist 2012-06, Vol.5 (3), p.150-159
Main Authors: Batuyong, Eldridge, Birks, Christopher, Beischer, Andrew D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Ankle Joint - surgery
Computer-Assisted Instruction
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Informed Consent
Ligaments, Articular - surgery
Male
Middle Aged
Multimedia
Orthopedic Procedures
Patient Education as Topic - methods
Surveys and Questionnaires
User-Computer Interface
Young Adult
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Summary:Background. Obtaining “informed consent” is an integral aspect of surgery that can be fraught with difficulty. This study assessed the efficacy of a multimedia education tool in improving patients’ understanding when used as an adjunct to the traditional verbal consent process regarding ankle lateral ligament reconstruction surgery. Methods. A total of 56 patients (28 males and 28 females) were recruited with a mean age of 36 years. A standardized verbal discussion regarding surgical treatment was provided to each patient. Understanding was then assessed using a knowledge questionnaire. Subsequently, each patient observed a multimedia educational program following which the knowledge questionnaire was repeated. Additional supplementary questions were then given regarding the ease of understanding and satisfaction with the 2 methods of education delivery. Results. The patients answered 75% of the questions correctly before the multimedia module compared with 88% after it (P < .001). Patients rated the ease of understanding and the amount of information provided by the module highly (9.5 cm and 9.0 cm on a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale scale, respectively), and 61% of patients considered that the multimedia tool performed as well as the treating surgeon. Conclusion. Multimedia tools used in sequence after a verbal consent resulted in improved patient understanding of pertinent information regarding ankle lateral ligament reconstruction surgery. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II.
ISSN:1938-6400
1938-7636
DOI:10.1177/1938640012439604