Using Media to Reduce Anxiety for Cardiac Computed Tomography
- Conditions
- Anxiety
- Interventions
- Other: Video information
- Registration Number
- NCT02156973
- Lead Sponsor
- University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
- Brief Summary
Coming for a cardiac test can be a daunting experience. Despite providing written information sheets for patients, experience in the scanner demonstrates that many patients are ill-prepared when they attend for cardiac computed tomography (CT). Heart rate control is essential for high image quality, as this prolongs cardiac diastole (during which imaging occurs) and results in less motion blur, but this may be challenging to achieve in the context of an anxious patient. In such situations, additional radiation exposure is required to optimise the chances of diagnostic images. Thus, poor patient selection and preparation has been shown to increase the radiation burden to the patient, as well as to increase the rate of non-diagnostic scans, leading to patients needing additional, alternative testing. This can be distressing for patients and increases downstream costs for the hospital. Poor patient awareness is also known to increase the anxiety of attending for a test.
Improved patient information and understanding has been shown to improve outcomes in a wide variety of hospital settings. Evidence from cardiac catheterisation angiography suggests that the use of alternative information formats can reduce patient anxiety and improve patient satisfaction, as well as improving their understanding of the technical requirements of a test. The latter may contribute to improved preparation - for example, patients who do not understand the requirements for cardiac CT, particularly the need for a slow heart rate, will often consume caffeine, stop their heart-slowing drugs, or even run or cycle to their appointment.
We have agreed a collaboration with Plymouth University to create patient information videos for CT. These will utilise the expertise of media students (their department also runs a commercial arm, due to the quality of their output), in conjunction with the clinical requirements and patient participation groups, to create an accessible, engaging and informative film. We wish to evaluate the impact of this method of conveying information to patients on how well they are prepared to undergo testing.
If this concept is successful, it may be of use to patients undergoing a huge range of tests or treatments across specialities. We therefore need to demonstrate the efficacy (or otherwise) of such an intervention.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 130
- All adult patients over 18 years attending for CT coronary angiography during the trial period will be eligible for inclusion
- Unable to provide valid, informed, written consent for any reason
- Attending for non-coronary cardiac CT
- Hospital inpatients
- Patients who have previously undergone cardiac CT
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Group Two Video information Video information The patient video will be introduced to Group Two once Group One has been completed. In addition to the information sheet these patients (again, for four weeks or until recruitment is complete) will be sent an internet hyperlink to its presence on YouTube (video-sharing website) and the Hospital website with their appointment letter. Patients who do not have internet access will be offered the opportunity to see the video in the preparation room while waiting for their scan. Questionnaires will be administered as before, again done twice to examine any late impact of the information on patient anxiety, and the patient will undergo their test.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Self-reported level of anxiety in patients attending for CT coronary angiography. 4 weeks Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Index has been abbreviated and validated for use in outpatient settings to gauge levels of pre-procedural anxiety and will be completed by patients on arrival in the department and just before their scan.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Patient experience of scan 2 weeks post scan Ten patients, selected at random from the study population, will be contacted by telephone two weeks later and a semi-structured interview will be undertaken. Patients will be questioned about how informed they felt prior to the scan, whether the scan aligned with their preconceptions, and asked to rate their overall experience.
The impact of a patient information film on the amount of use of intravenous beta blockers. 4 weeks The impact of a patient information film on the diagnostic image quality. 4 weeks The impact of a patient information film on the pre-scan heart rate. 4 weeks
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
🇬🇧Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom