Patient expectations and recollection of information about photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the expectations of surgical result and recollection of a standardized information briefing by patients having photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lübeck, Germany.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients were asked to complete a multiple-choice questionnaire immediately after standardized information briefings and 1 month after PRK to establish their comprehension of the information briefing, what they remembered of it, and what they expected from the refractive procedure.


RESULTS
Although the estimated intelligence quotient of the patients was above average (115 +/- 7.23) and almost all rated the information briefings as being comprehensible, only simple, basic facts about PRK were remembered immediately after the briefing as well as 1 month postoperatively. Of 12 possible undesired consequences, 6.4 were remembered before surgery and 3.9 after surgery. The latter were mainly side effects the patients experienced themselves.


CONCLUSIONS
As most patients rejected the possibility of serious complications, for medicolegal reasons, careful, accurate documentation of the contents of and patients' satisfaction with the information briefing is necessary.
Geerling
G
G
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lübeck, Germany.
Meyer
C
C
Laqua
H
H
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome