Patient Satisfaction and Information Gain After the Preanesthetic Visit: A Comparison of Face-to-Face Interview, Brochure, and Video

Abstract

In this study we compared 3 methods of conducting the preanesthetic visit. We prospectively studied 197 consecutive surgical patients who were to undergo general anesthesia. The patients were randomized to a routine preanesthetic interview, a brochure plus an interview, or a self-made documentary video plus an interview. After the preanesthetic visit, the degree of patient satisfaction and information gain was quantified by a questionnaire for each method. The questions on patient satisfaction were assessed on a six-point scale, and those on information gain were assessed on a multiple-choice basis. The video plus interview group showed the highest point scores (98% of the possible maximum sum point score in patient satisfaction and 93% of the maximum sum score in information gain). In contrast, the patients of the brochure plus interview group revealed 93% for patient satisfaction and 80% for information gain, and in the standard interview group, the corresponding figures were 91% and 72%, respectively. The maximum sum scores in patient satisfaction and information gain were significantly different between the interview and the video groups, but not between the interview and the brochure groups. Therefore, these data suggest that the use of a documentary video to supplement a preoperative interview may enhance patient satisfaction and maximize information gain.

Does a waiting room video about what to expect during an emergency department visit improve patient satisfaction?

“…A randomized study in a preanesthetic clinic showed that patient satisfaction and information gain was highest in those patients who received a documentary video when compared with a brochure or interview. 9 Similarly, at a women's cancer screening clinic, satisfaction was significantly higher among women receiving videosupported information and graphic-supported information when compared with women receiving information without teaching aids. 6 These randomized studies support the use of videotaped information over written material.…”

“…In other medical specialties, videos have been used to help patients understand what to expect during their care, which has led to greater use of videos for patient education. 5,[7][8][9][10][11][12] Our study sought to determine if showing an ED process and patient education DVD would improve patient satisfaction, increase calls to an outpatient clinic referral line and reduce perceived waiting room times.…”

The Heidelberg Peri‐anaesthetic Questionnaire – development of a new refined psychometric questionnaire*

“…Perception of care is considered an essential part of patient satisfaction [1,2]. Health care includes many different components such as physical, emotional, mental, social and cultural factors.…”

Effect of Structured Pre-anesthetic Communication on Preoperative Patient Anxiety

“…Questionnaires evaluated affective condition and preoperative anxiety, using the short questionnaire on current level of stress (KAB) [15] as well as selfassessment of preoperative fear [8]. Patient satisfaction was assessed immediately after the preoperative anesthesia interview (VAS 0-10).…”

“…Many anesthesia residents are relatively inexperienced and have received little or no specific training regarding communication with patients and might lack the skills required to communicate effectively with patients. Since preoperative anxiety is often directed towards anesthesia itself, anesthesiologists are in an excellent position to decrease patient anxiety [7,8]. Effective physician-patient interaction is sufficient to significantly reduce preoperative anxiety.…”