Patient Comprehension of Operative Instructions With a Paper Handout Versus a Video: A Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a video versus that of a paper handout for explaining operative instructions for hand and upper extremity surgeries to patients. We aimed to compare patient performance using a knowledge-based questionnaire. In addition, we aimed to compare how helpful patients found their assigned operative instructions. Methods: This was a randomized trial of 60 patients undergoing same-day hand and upper extremity surgeries. The patients were randomized to receive educational material outlining operative instructions, either in the form of a video link or a paper handout. At the first postoperative visit, the patients’ comprehension of the content was evaluated using a questionnaire. The primary outcomes included the number of questions answered correctly and patient-reported evaluation of the provided instructions on a scale of 1–5. Results: Patients who received video instructions scored higher in the questionnaire than those in the paper instructions group (paper: 58% correct; video: 76% correct). Moreover, patients in the video group were significantly more likely to answer questions pertaining to opioid use correctly. A higher proportion of patients in the video group than in the paper group found the information “extremely” or “very” helpful. Conclusions: This study found that the patients demonstrated greater comprehension of the operative instructions when these were administered in a video format than when these were administered as a printed handout. In particular, the results suggest that video-based education specifically improves patients’ comprehension of proper opioid use. Clinical relevance: There appears to be utility in implementing videos for patient education purposes, particularly in the setting of operative instructions for same-day surgical procedures.