Randomized trial of a web-based tool for prolapse: impact on patient understanding and provider counseling

• Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 2014-08, Vol.25 (8), p.1127-1132
• Main Authors: Myers, Erinn M., Robinson, Barbara L., Geller, Elizabeth J., Wells, Ellen, Matthews, Catherine A., Fenderson, Jacquia L., Crane, Andrea K., Jannelli, Mary, Connolly, AnnaMarie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Communication; Directive Counseling - methods; Female; Gynecology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Internet; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Original Article; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Patient Satisfaction; Pelvic Organ Prolapse - diagnosis; Physician-Patient Relations; Time Factors; Urology
• ISSN: 0937-3462; 1433-3023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-014-2364-3

Introduction and hypothesis Effective patient/provider communication is important to ensure patient understanding, safety, and satisfaction. Our hypothesis was that interactive patient/provider counseling using a web-based tool (iPad™ application) would have a greater impact on patient satisfaction with understanding prolapse symptoms compared with standard counseling (SC). Methods Women with complaints of seeing/sensing a vaginal bulge were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. Participants completed pre- and postvisit Likert scale questionnaires on satisfaction with prolapse knowledge and related anxiety. After new patient histories and physical examinations, study participants were randomized to SC or SC with iPad™. Ninety participants were required to detect a 30 % difference in satisfaction with prolapse knowledge between the two groups. Results Ninety women were randomized to SC ( n  = 44) or SC with iPad™ ( n  = 46). At baseline, 47 % of women were satisfied with their understanding of bulge symptoms (50 % SC vs. 43.5 % SC with iPad™, p  = 0.5). After counseling, 97 % of women reported increased satisfaction with understanding of bulge symptoms ( p