Randomised controlled trial of preoperative information to improve satisfaction with cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of an informational video on patient expectations and satisfaction with day-stay cataract surgery.


METHODS
141 patients undergoing day-stay cataract surgery were randomised into one of two video groups, explaining either what to expect from the cataract surgery or the anatomy of cataract. Patients were surveyed as to their expectations for visual outcome, anxiety, risk, and discomfort resulting from the surgery. After the operation, patients were again asked to rate their experience of anxiety, discomfort, risk, comprehension, overall satisfaction, and comparison with expectations.


RESULTS
84% of patients already thought they received enough or too much information. The expectations video group expected more risk and discomfort than the anatomy video group. Yet, after the surgery, the expectations video group was significantly more satisfied, understood better what was happening to them, and felt less anxious. There was no difference in the discomfort or risk actually experienced, or the expected visual outcomes. Patients with previous cataract surgery experience expected less anxiety and discomfort, and found the surgery closer to their expectations. None the less, previous cataract surgery experience did not negate the effects of the video.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that a simple, inexpensive videotape showing patients what to expect from cataract surgery results in significant increases in patient understanding of and satisfaction with the cataract surgery, as well as a decrease in anxiety. These effects were independent of patients' expected outcomes or previous experience with cataract surgery, and despite the fact that patients generally thought they had already received enough information.
Pager
C K
CK
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, University of Sydney, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 67 Missenden Road PO, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. ckpager@stanfordalumni.org
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002386:Cataract / Q000523:psychology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D032882:Comprehension; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014743:Videotape Recording