Do patients want to see recordings of their surgery?
OBJECTIVE
In an effort to improve patients' understanding and perception of their surgery and communication between doctors and patients we have evaluated the use of a mobile digital video recorder in the case of women undergoing gynaecological surgery.


METHODS
Patients scheduled for endoscopic or open surgery were asked if they would allow their surgery be recorded on a dedicated computer system. Those who agreed were offered the opportunity to have real-time edited highlights of their surgery recorded simultaneously on a miniature digital video recorder. They were shown the edited recording before discharge from hospital, and their reaction was assessed using a structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
51/54 (94.4%) women agreed to their surgery being recorded on the computer system, and 37/54 (68.5%) asked to see the edited highlights. The median duration of the computer and portable recordings for the 37 patients was 90 min (range 2-280) and 3.3 min (range 1-13.6) respectively. Thirty-four (91.9%) reported that the edited recording gave them a better understanding of their medical condition and surgery. Thirty (81.1%) would have liked a copy of the recording.


CONCLUSIONS
Portable video recorders are a convenient tool for recording surgical procedures. In our experience, about two-third of patients are interested in reviewing their surgery and find it provides useful information and a perceived better understanding of their condition. As these recording devices are small and fit into a pocket, their use could easily become a routine part of post-operative ward rounds. For the surgeon, such recordings have an educational value and provide the basis for a library of surgery as well as being useful when planning future management or for referral purposes.
Papadopoulos
Nikolaos
N
Minimally Invasive Therapy Unit & Endoscopy Training Centre, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, London, UK.
Polyzos
Dimitris
D
Gambadauro
Pietro
P
Papalampros
Panos
P
Chapman
Lynne
L
Magos
Adam
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014741:Video Recording