Evaluation of a preoperative multimedia information program in surgical oncology.
OBJECTIVE
We report on the design, validation and evaluation of a DVD for patient information in a department of surgical oncology.


METHODS
DVDs provided the patient with information about the anatomy, surgical techniques and post-operative complications on digestive cancers, oral cavity and breast tumours. After surgery a questionnaire was sent to the patients in order to evaluate their level of satisfaction and opinion regarding the pre-operative information they had been given.


RESULTS
One hundred and eight patients were invited to watch the DVD. Seventy-one percent of the patients considered that viewing the DVD had been positive and encouraging and 83% of all the patients would recommend its use. Among the 14 patients who experienced complications, only 21% declared having been well informed by the DVD and only 12% considered they were better prepared to face those complications.


CONCLUSIONS
DVD based information systems are valuable and acceptable to patients, but the presentation of complications needs to be improved.
Evrard
S
S
Department of Surgical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bordeaux, France. evrard@bergonie.org
Mathoulin-Pelissier
S
S
Larrue
C
C
Lapouge
P
P
Bussieres
E
E
Tunon De Lara
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires