Implementation and Evaluation of Educational Videos to Improve Cancer Knowledge and Patient Empowerment

Abstract

PURPOSE Low health literacy is a leading cause of treatment abandonment among patients receiving cancer care at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Malawi. METHODS We developed cancer educational videos featuring Malawian providers and played them in the KCH oncology clinic. The videos addressed cancer-related topics, including disease biology, common myths, diagnostic procedures, treatment, side effects, and survivorship. After 6 months of implementation, we compared results from 50 pre- and postintervention surveys to assess change in cancer knowledge and care experience. RESULTS Both pre- and postintervention cancer knowledge were good: a median of nine questions were answered correctly of 11 in both assessments. Despite the intervention, most continued to incorrectly identify cancer as an infection (pre: n = 26, 52%; post: n = 25, 50%; P = 1.0), although improvements were observed in patients' knowledge of correct actions for fever at home (pre: n = 38, 76%; post: n = 43, 86%; P = .31). Care experiences were overall good. Postintervention results indicate that more patients felt always listened to by their providers (pre: n = 18, 36%; post: n = 29, 58%; P < .01). However, we also noted a higher rate of patient dissatisfaction of care as more patients felt that they could not understand chemotherapy counseling (pre: n = 11, 22%; post: n = 22, 44%; P < .01). Assessments of video satisfaction indicate that patients found the videos very helpful in terms of understanding their disease (n = 47, 96%) and side effects (n = 48, 98%) and felt empowered to speak up with their providers (n = 46, 96%). CONCLUSION Standardized education materials for patients that can be feasibly implemented throughout sub-Saharan Africa are urgently needed. Cancer educational videos are a low-cost way to educate and empower patients with cancer in resource-constrained settings although in-person discussions remain a crucial part of care.

Cancer patient satisfaction regarding the quality of information received: psychometric validity of EORTC QLQ-INFO25

“…did not receive any response, indicating that all patients mentioned that this CD or tape/video resource was not used as an educational method. Certainly, this item presents a certain obsolescence nowadays, due to the wide use of modern technological resources for health education, such as social media or digital and collaborative education platforms via the web (28)(29) .…”

Satisfação do paciente com câncer sobre a qualidade da informação recebida: validação psicométrica do EORTC QLQ-INFO25

“…não obteve nenhuma resposta, indicando que todos os pacientes mencionaram que esse recurso de CD ou fita/vídeo não foi utilizado como método educativo. Certamente, esse item apresenta certa obsolescência na atualidade, em decorrência do amplo uso de recursos tecnológicos modernos para educação em saúde, como as mídias sociais ou plataformas de educação digital e colaborativa via web (28)(29) .…”

Health Literacy, Individual and Community Engagement, and Cardiovascular Risks and Disparities

“… 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 Similarly, comparable improvements in self-management and quality of life have been observed among cancer survivors. 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 The rapid adoption of digital innovations in this context, 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 accelerated by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, further underscores the potential for transformative advancements in patient education and support. Increasing patient knowledge addresses misconceptions and misunderstandings that would otherwise hinder adequate self-care.…”