title: Video versus traditional informed consent for neonatal circumcision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if videotapes about newborn circumcision would be superior to traditional physician 'informed consent' discussion for maternal knowledge, satisfaction and perception of provider bias.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of mothers interested in or undecided about circumcision was randomized to watch a video on: (i) circumcision risks/benefits ('Video-Plus' n = 168); or (ii) unrelated material followed by traditional physician risk/benefit discussion ('Standard-MD' n = 136). Questionnaires were administered during hospitalization and subsequent telephone interviews. Statistical differences were analysed by chi-square and Wilcoxon signed rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most mothers (82%) decided about circumcision prenatally. Fewer mothers perceived bias from the video vs. physicians [1.1% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.04]. Composite knowledge (correct of 10 answers) [ (SD) 6.5 (2.1) vs. 6.4 (2.1), p = 0.78] or satisfaction [5-point Likert scale, 3.98 (1.50) vs. 3.75 (1.58), p = 0.16] did not differ by group, although more highly educated mothers preferred the video [satisfaction 4.08 (1.01) vs. 2.63 (0.99), p = 0.04]. Significant knowledge gaps existed in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this setting, no difference in maternal knowledge was found between 'Video-Plus' and traditional informed consent although more highly educated mothers preferred the video. Better ways to achieve understanding of risks and benefits for this elective procedure should be sought.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. caroline.chantry@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chantry
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: Allyson C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sage
authors.forename: Emma E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Calvert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D033282:Parental Consent; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D014741:Video Recording