136 INFLUDENCE OF RACE AND COMORBIDITY ON THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER: EVOLUTION OVER 15 YEARS

Abstract

these terms, especially among underserved populations. We hypothesized that a video-based educational tool would significantly improve understanding of these key terms related to prostate health among a predominantly lower-literacy population. METHODS: A software application was developed by various experts, including urologists and human-computer interaction specialists, to serve as the video-based educational tool, emphasizing animations to promote understanding. A previously developed survey was used to evaluate comprehension of terms related to urinary, bowel, and sexual function. Trained interviewers provided the survey to patients from two low-income safety-net clinics both before and after administration of the educational tool. Preand post-intervention levels of comprehension were assessed using semi-qualitative methods coded by two independent evaluators. RESULTS: 56 patients completed the study, with a mean literacy level of 7th to 8th grade by literacy testing, but a self-reported mean education level of 12th grade. Patients achieved statistically significant improvement in comprehension for the majority of the terms after the video intervention (see Table). Notable improvements in understanding were exhibited for the terms ?rectal urgency’ (18% to 73%, P-value 0.000001), ‘incontinence’ (from 14% to 50%, P-value 0.000035), and ‘bowel’ (14% to 46%, P-value 0.0001). Patients also demonstrated significant gains in understanding of the function of the prostate (11% to 30%, P-value 0.0074). CONCLUSIONS: The video-based educational tool is an effective method for combatting the severe lack of comprehension of prostate health terminology among this population, which may be reflective of many patients overall. The improvements in understanding achieved with this intervention have the potential to enhance patient participation in shared and informed decision-making. These results support combined visual and audio multimedia as a promising tool for prostate cancer education and thus as an area for further research and refinement.