Comparative Effectiveness of Descriptive Versus Narrative Emergency Department Discharge Instructions for Patient Education on Unnecessary Testing for Ankle, Foot and Knee Injuries
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Withdrawn
- Sponsor
- University of Pennsylvania
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Patient Satisfaction
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Study will test the use of narratives on patient satisfaction and translation of an evidence-based approach to the use of X-rays for leg injuries in the Emergency Department (ED). The investigators will identify patients with foot, ankle, or knee injuries for whom X-rays are determined to not be needed. On discharge, patients will receive the current fact-based sheet or that plus a narrative explaining the work-up and treatment of these injuries. Outcomes will be assessed by a survey measuring patient satisfaction and understanding.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Health Services Research
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Acute traumatic knee, ankle or foot injury presenting to ED
- •No indication for X-ray by Ottawa Rules criteria
- •ED provider planning to discharge patient
Exclusion Criteria
- •X-ray obtained
- •Need for X-ray by established Ottawa Rules criteria
- •Pregnant women
- •Patient to be admitted to the hospital
- •Patient non-English speaking or illiterate
Arms & Interventions
Narrative
This arm will receive information regarding leg injuries and X-ray usage in narrative form in addition to standard of care discharge information.
Intervention: Narrative (Behavioral)
Control
This arm will receive a blank piece of paper in addition to the standard of care discharge information.
Intervention: Control (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Patient Satisfaction
Time Frame: 5 minutes after intervention
To measure patient satisfaction, we will use a validated survey instrument. The survey asks patients 5 questions, which they answer by providing responses on a 5-point scale ranging from "Poor" to "Excellent." The questions include: 1. My satisfaction with the amount of time spent with me by the person who evaluated and treated me was.... 2. The explanation I received of how my illness should be treated was... 3. The way the health care provider treated me was... 4. My overall satisfaction with my visit was... 5. Your care provider determined that you did not need an X-ray for your injury. What is your level of satisfaction with that decision?
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported