Evaluation of a Video-Based Education Intervention for Parents of Children Undergoing Fontan Surgery: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Fontan surgery is performed at 2-4 years of age and is the third planned surgical intervention for children with a univentricular heart. Major challenges for children and parents after Fontan include (a) psychological distress, (b) prolonged pleural drainage, and (c) the need for postoperative anticoagulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate a pre-Fontan video-based intervention for parents to address these challenges.

Methods

This study is a single-centre mixed-methods cluster randomized controlled trial. The intervention consisted of 3 brief whiteboard videos offered online from preadmission clinic to 1 month postoperatively. The parent’s State Trait Anxiety Inventory score and the child’s Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire score were measured 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Semistructured interviews were conducted to obtain parental feedback on the videos.

Results

We enrolled 26 children (13 female patients; 16 intervention group) and 1 parent per child. Mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were similar between groups at both 1 week (52.8 vs 55.5, P = 0.25) and 1 month postoperatively (50.9 vs 53.9, P = 0.25). Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire scores were in the maladaptive range but did not differ between groups. Parents agreed or strongly agreed that the videos were helpful but should be provided earlier in the preoperative process. The main value of the videos was recognized as being a method for standardizing information provided to parents.

Conclusions

A video-based education intervention did not impact State Trait Anxiety Inventory or Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire scores. However, the majority of parents agreed that the videos were helpful.