Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a video versus that of a
paper handout for explaining operative instructions for hand and upper extremity surgeries
to patients. We aimed to compare patient performance using a knowledge-based questionnaire.
In addition, we aimed to compare how helpful patients found their assigned operative
instructions.
Methods
This was a randomized trial of 60 patients undergoing same-day hand and upper extremity
surgeries. The patients were randomized to receive educational material outlining
operative instructions, either in the form of a video link or a paper handout. At
the first postoperative visit, the patients’ comprehension of the content was evaluated
using a questionnaire. The primary outcomes included the number of questions answered
correctly and patient-reported evaluation of the provided instructions on a scale
of 1–5.
Results
Patients who received video instructions scored higher in the questionnaire than those
in the paper instructions group (paper: 58% correct; video: 76% correct). Moreover,
patients in the video group were significantly more likely to answer questions pertaining
to opioid use correctly. A higher proportion of patients in the video group than in
the paper group found the information “extremely” or “very” helpful.
Conclusions
This study found that the patients demonstrated greater comprehension of the operative
instructions when these were administered in a video format than when these were administered
as a printed handout. In particular, the results suggest that video-based education
specifically improves patients’ comprehension of proper opioid use.
Clinical relevance
There appears to be utility in implementing videos for patient education purposes,
particularly in the setting of operative instructions for same-day surgical procedures.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 07, 2022
Accepted:
October 20,
2021
Received:
February 10,
2021
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
