TITLE: A SPECIALIZED PATIENT EDUCATION VIDEO CAN IMPROVE PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ANESTHESIA

AUTHORS: Jerome M. Klafta, MD, P. A. Klock, MD
AFFILIATION: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies of videotaped instruction generally have been unable to demonstrate a positive effect on retained knowledge or patient perceptions about anesthesia. Targeting videotapes toward general patient populations may have diminish their effect. We hypothesized that augmenting our routine preoperative teaching with a specialized educational videotape would improve patient knowledge about anesthetic issues.
METHODS: With IRB approval, 101 patients who were to be evaluated in our preanesthetic clinic before total hip or knee replacement were randomly allocated to view (Video) or not view (No Video) a 12-min educational videotape before seeing an anesthesiologist. The videotape was developed specifically for patients undergoing these procedures at this institution. Assessment of patient knowledge about anesthetic issues was determined by written surveys administered before and after the clinic visit. Data were analyzed with a Chi square or Wilcoxon rank sum test as appropriate.
RESULTS: A significantly greater number of patients in the Video than in the No Video group were able to identify neuraxial analgesia as a potential method of postoperative pain relief. The self-assessed knowledge ratings were also significantly greater in the Video group ("How knowledgeable are you about the anesthesia for your operation after coming here?").

CONCLUSION: The videotape teaching intervention improved both patient knowledge of an analgesia option as well as self- assessed knowledge after the clinic visit. The patient population typical for total joint replacement (elderly, frequent comor- bidities, surgery amenable to regional anesthesia) may benefit more from such a teaching intervention than would a more general patient pool. A specialized videotape customized for the viewer may enhance its effect.
This work was supported by a grant from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research.