title: Effect of a multimedia-assisted informed consent procedure on the information gain, satisfaction, and anxiety of cataract surgery patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether a multimedia-assisted preoperative informed consent procedure has an effect on patients' knowledge concerning cataract surgery, satisfaction with the informed consent process, and reduction in anxiety levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients participated in an informed consent procedure for age-related cataract surgery that included the standard approach only (reading the information brochure and having a standardized face-to-face discussion) or supplemented with a computer-animated video. The main outcome was information retention assessed by a questionnaire. Further outcome measures used were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Visual Function-14 score, and an assessment of satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 123 patients (64 in standard-only group; 59 in computer-animated video group). Both groups scored well on the questionnaire; however, patients who watched the video performed better (82% retention versus 72%) (P = .002). Scores tended to decrease with increasing age (r = -0.25, P = .005); however, this decrease was smaller in the group that watched the video. Both groups had elevated anxiety levels (means in video group: anxiety concerning the current situation [S-anxiety] = 63.8 ± 9.6 [SD], general tendency toward anxiety [T-anxiety] = 65.5 ± 7.9; means in control group: S-anxiety = 61.9 ± 10.3, T-anxiety = 66.2 ± 7.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high level of information retention was achieved using an informed consent procedure consisting of an information brochure and a standardized face-to-face discussion. A further increase in information retention was achieved, even with increasing patient age, by adding a multimedia presentation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology and the Karl Landsteiner Institute for Process Optimization and Quality-Management in Cataract Surgery, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: saskia_tipotsch@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Saskia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tipotsch-Maca
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology and the Karl Landsteiner Institute for Process Optimization and Quality-Management in Cataract Surgery, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Ralph M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Varsits
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology and the Karl Landsteiner Institute for Process Optimization and Quality-Management in Cataract Surgery, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ginzel
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology and the Karl Landsteiner Institute for Process Optimization and Quality-Management in Cataract Surgery, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Pia V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Vecsei-Marlovits
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires