MedPath

Can Video Clips Improve Patient Comprehension at the Emergency Department?

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Patient Safety
New Technologies in Clinical Medicine
Doctor Patient Communication
Patient Education and Health Literacy
Safe Hospital Discharge
Interventions
Other: Videoclips
Registration Number
NCT03734406
Lead Sponsor
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to assess the utility of two interventional videos, showed to patients discharged from the ED with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis. We have focused our attention on these two medical conditions because they share some important features: they are frequently seen in EDs; their main complication (stroke and pulmonary embolism) can cause significant morbidity and mortality; both conditions and their related complications are probably not very intuitive to comprehend for the general population. In fact, the understanding of these conditions implies the knowledge of a number of pathological processes, with which most people are unfamiliar.

The primary hypothesis is that patients enrolled in the study group will show a higher degree of comprehension of their medical condition and its related complications, as compared to the control group. Secondly, we will also analyze any possible effect of the videos on the knowledge of the therapy prescribed, return instructions and patients' satisfaction with the quality of communication in the ED.

Eventually, we will examine the association of some factors with the outcomes (age, sex, level of education, atrial fibrillation vs. deep vein thrombosis group).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
144
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Video groupVideoclipsAll subjects enrolled in the study group will be showed during the discharge process the video related to patient's condition (DVT vs AF), using it as a graphic support to doctor's verbal explanation of the diagnosed pathology and its possible complications. For the purposes of the study we have selected two 3D videoclips, available on various internet sites and not covered by any copyright restrictions; these have been modified and shortened to make them suitable to use in our study setting. The images contained show the pathophysiological process underlying the two diseases under study, namely deep vein thrombosis and atrial fibrillation. The SIs will show the videos to patients on the institutional computer or, alternatively, on their personal smartphone / tablet. The videos were purposely left without audio content.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Patient's comprehension of their medical condition and its potential complicationsOutcome assessed within 48 hours from ED discharge

The main outcome corresponds to interview's questions n°1-3-4. Patients' answers will receive a score on a 4-points Likert scale (from zero to three) from low to high knowledge.

Scores from the two independent reviewers will be averaged and then added to obtain an overall score. The score for the main outcomes will therefore range 0-18 for the main outcome.

To the best of our knowledge, no currently available validated questionnaires would serve for the purpose of our study, i.e. for the simultaneous measurement of different domains of comprehension across two different medical conditions.

Hence, we have developed the ad-hoc interview and its related interpretation scheme using face and content validity. Construct validation would require an amount of time and resources equivalent to that of the trial itself, pushing it beyond practical feasibility.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Patient's knowledge of the prescribed therapyOutcome assessed within 48 hours from ED discharge

This outcome is measured with interview's question n°2. Scores will range from 0-6 (low to high comprehension).

Patient's satisfactionOutcome assessed within 48 hours from ED discharge

This outcome is measured with interview's question n°5 and n°6. Scores will range from 0-12.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Emergency Department, IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital

🇮🇹

Pavia, Lombardia, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath