Animated patient’s guide to lung cancer enables shared decisions and improves health outcomes.

Abstract

e18634 Background: Informed patients have better health outcomes. In a study of 1,057 patient encounters with 3,552 clinical decisions, only 9% resulted in informed medical decisions.The complexity of treatments and patients' limitations in health literacy (especially common in underserved communities) make it difficult for patients to engage in SDM. In 2017, A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation introduced An Animated Patient’s Guide to Lung Cancer (APG), an online resource aimed at improving patient knowledge. Methods: APG consists of animations, expert FAQ videos, slide shows, infographics, patient-experience videos, knowledge-assessment tools, and learner feedback. Video views, duration of use, and learner responses to multiple-choice questions on the APG website were collected for 33 months – through August 2020. Total APG views, most frequently viewed animations and expert videos were monitored on the website and on YouTube, to measure learner responses to outcome-based questions, and learner intent-to-implement changes. Results: 212,336 total views: 142,998 unique visitors: 59% from U.S. and 41% from 50 other countries. Unique U.S. visitors: 43,872 patients, 16,030 caregivers, and 7,593 health providers. 94% reported they will ‘use new information to better self-manage their lung cancer’ (n = 277); 98% ‘will discuss information learned with their doctor’ (n = 455), and 93% ‘plan to discuss treatment options with their doctor’ (n = 272). Conclusions: Multimedia ‘animated’ formats of learning tailored to the needs and learning styles of lung cancer patients provides effective learning, informed patients, increased management skills, and improved engagement in shared decision making.