title: Patient and staff assessment of an audiovisual education tool for head and neck radiation therapy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand and compare patient and staff perceptions of a video-based preparatory education tool for head and neck radiotherapy. Patients and staff completed a questionnaire assessing their perceptions of whether the education tool was relevant, clear, complete and reassuring. Staff rated the video's accuracy and anticipated impact on future patient information needs. Demographic information was collected. Open-ended questions were used to elicit additional feedback. Quantitative responses from 50 patients and 48 staff were very positive and not significantly different between the two groups. Content analysis of the qualitative data provided insight into the information and approaches valued by patients and staff and how these differed. Staff members were more critical of the production quality and completeness of information related to procedures and treatment side effects. Patients valued seeing procedures acted out and desired more information about what these experiences would feel like and how to engage in self-care. Although staff-driven development may be an effective method of designing the content and approach of a preparatory education video, care should be taken to consider differences between patient and staff perceptions of information needs.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. lyndon.morley@rmp.uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Lyndon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McAndrew
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rakaric
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cashell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research