Preoperative informed consent discussions that utilize audio, visual and tactile components may improve patient comprehension, according to a study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
The researchers identified 67 patients with knee osteoarthritis who were slated to undergo a knee corticosteroid injection. The patients were split into three groups, which received informed consent discussions that varied by sensory input: one discussion included an audio component, one discussion included audio and visual components and one discussion included audio, visual and tactile components.
For the audio component, all groups listened to a 10-minute scripted lecture. Following the lecture, all patients were given a questionnaire to assess their comprehension of the material.
Here are their findings:
1. For the audio group, the mean comprehension score was 71 percent.
2. For the audio and visual group, the mean comprehension score was 74 percent.
3. For the audio, visual and tactile group, the mean comprehension score was 84 percent.
These differences were significantly significant, leading the researchers to conclude that sound, sight and touch all play a role in optimizing patient comprehension.