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

• 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
• ISSN: 1938-6400; 1938-7636
• DOI: 10.1177/1938640012439604

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.