Enhancing the "informed" in informed consent: a pilot test of a multimedia presentation.
The use of a multimedia presentation to supplement the informed consent process for endoscopy procedures was tested at a children's hospital. Fifty consecutive children who presented for an endoscopy were randomized to one of two conditions. In group 1, informed consent for the procedure was obtained by the physician in the usual manner. In the second group, parents/guardians viewed a multimedia presentation on endoscopic procedures in addition to the typical consent process. Both groups completed measures of state anxiety, comprehension, and satisfaction. As predicted, there was a significant positive correlation between all participants' self-reported comprehension and satisfaction and a negative correlation between comprehension and anxiety. The group that viewed the multimedia presentation scored significantly higher on an objective test and was rated significantly higher in comprehension by physicians than the comparison group. There were no significant differences between the groups in self-reports of anxiety, satisfaction with medical care, and number of questions asked during consent delivery.
Communication Studies Department, Canisius College, NY, USA.
Melissa Bekelja
MB
Wanzer
Ann M
AM
Wojtaszczyk
Jessica
J
Schimert
Lisa
L
Missert
Susan
S
Baker
Robert
R
Baker
Ben
B
Dunkle
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032882:Comprehension; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D009518:New York; D033282:Parental Consent / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects