title: Computer-based tutorial to enhance the quality and efficiency of the informed-consent process for cataract surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether informing patients with an interactive computer-based tool in addition to the face-to-face discussion with their physician is more effective than the conventional informed-consent procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled triple-masked clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with bilateral cataract scheduled for cataract surgery at the same center were randomly allocated to a study group or a control group. Patients in the study group were given an interactive computer-based tool (CatInfo) containing a detailed audiovisual presentation about cataract and its treatment. Patients in the control group watched a short sham computer presentation without cataract-related information. Then, all patients had a face-to-face informed-consent discussion with a physician masked to group allocation. Afterward, patients in both groups received the same validated questionnaire with cataract-related questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group comprised 60 patients and the control group, 30 patients. The mean age was 73 years (range 51 to 90 years) and 75 years (range 48 to 94 years), respectively. Patients in the study group answered statistically significantly more questions correctly than patients in the control group (15 versus 12 of 19). There was an age effect in the study group, with the computerized tool having a greater impact on elderly patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients in the study group were significantly better informed than patients in the control group. These findings show that the interactive computer-based tool is a useful tutorial to achieve a better informed-consent process for cataract surgery.
authors.affiliation: Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery, a Karl Landsteiner Institute, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wollinger
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirnschall
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Findl
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure