Assessing health literacy and subsequent implementation of an animated video to enhance understanding for patients with nephrolithiasis.

Abstract

Background: The use of visual aids to enhance patient learning is becoming increasingly common in medicine. Patients with a better understanding of surgical procedures tend to have better long-term outcomes due to the active seeking of help when complications occur postsurgery. We hypothesized that showing patients an animation of ureteroscopy with instructions on how to address potential complications would increase their understanding of the perioperative nature of ureteroscopy.

Methods and materials: Fifty patients were selected between May and August 2019. The group consisted of patients who had recently undergone ureteroscopy for nephrolithiasis or who would undergo ureteroscopy in the near future. Patients were given a prevideo assessment, followed by video and postvideo assessments. The prevideo and postvideo assessments were multiple choice and identical, except for 3 additional questions at the end of the postvideo assessment asking about patient opinions regarding the video. Patients were unaware that they would be completing a postvideo assessment until they had finished watching the video.

Results: When asked about the symptoms of a urinary tract infection postprocedure, 72% of patients answered incorrectly, with 58% choosing "go to the emergency department immediately," in the prevideo assessment versus 6% in the postvideo assessment (p < 0.05). If bleeding was a possible side effect of the procedure, 20% versus 0% answered incorrectly (p < 0.05). When asked about stent placement after surgery, 6% versus 0% answered incorrectly. One hundred percent of patients in both assessments answered correctly that stones would be removed and a scope was inserted into the urethra. Ninety-four percent of patients noted the video was presented in a very clear way, 80% noted that the video increased their understanding of the procedure "a lot," and 82% noted the video increased the quality of their visit "a lot."

Conclusions: Using an animated video to explain ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy is beneficial.