Usefulness of a bidirectional e-learning material for explaining surgical anesthesia to cancer patients

Abstract

Background: We developed an e-learning system, which is based on an interactive animation video that assists anesthesiologists in preanesthetic interviews. Materials and Methods: First, the feasibility of the system was investigated in 18 anesthesiologists and 95 volunteers from the general public. Content/quantity, operability, and satisfaction were assessed with a five-point scale. Secondly, a randomized controlled trial was conducted on 211 cancer patients who were scheduled to undergo general anesthesia. They were divided into an e-learning group (n = 106) and a control group (n = 105). The patients in the e-learning group watched the interactive animation before a preanesthetic interview by an anesthesiologist. Results: In 10 of the 11 items for content/quantity, operability, and satisfaction, the average score for both anesthesiologists and volunteers was ≥3.0 in feasibility study. Then, the level of patient comprehension of preoperative rounds and postoperative complications in the e-learning group was significantly higher than that in the control group (mean: 4.4 ± 0.5 versus 4.1 ± 0.7, P = 0.003, and 4.3 ± 0.5 versus 4.2 ± 0.5, P = 0.02); however, no significant difference in anxiety was seen between the two groups. Patient satisfaction in the e-learning group was significantly higher (mean: 4.3 ± 0.5 versus 4.0 ± 0.6, P = 0.002). Conclusion: The e-learning system is an effective supplementary tool for preanesthetic interviews in cancer patients. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.