Embedding the Use of Patient Multimedia Educational Resources Into Cardiac Acute Care: Prospective Observational Study.

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Multimedia interventions may play an important role in improving patient care and reducing the time constraints of patient-clinician encounters. The "MyStay Cardiac" multimedia resource is an innovative program designed to be accessed by adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uptake of the MyStay Cardiac both during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. A prospective observational study design was used that involved the evaluation of program usage data available from the digital interface of the multimedia program. Data on usage patterns were analyzed for a 30-month period between August 2020 and January 2023. Usage patterns were compared during and following the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Uptake of the MyStay Cardiac was measured via the type and extent of user activity data captured by the web-based information system. Intensive care unit recovery information was the most accessed information, being viewed in approximately 7 of 10 usage sessions. Ward recovery (n=124/343, 36.2%), goal (n=114/343, 33.2%), and exercise (n=102/343, 29.7%) information were routinely accessed. Most sessions involved users exclusively viewing text-based information (n=210/343, 61.2%). However, in over one-third of sessions (n=132/342, 38.5%), users accessed video information. Most usage sessions occurred during the COVID-19 restriction phase of the study (August 2020-December 2021). Sessions in which video (P=.02, phi=0.124) and audio (P=.006, phi=0.161) media were accessed were significantly more likely to occur in the restriction phase compared to the postrestriction phase. This study found that the use of digital multimedia resources to support patient education was well received and integrated into their practice by cardiac nurses working in acute care during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a pattern for greater usage of the MyStay Cardiac during the COVID-19 pandemic when access to the health service for nonfrontline, essential workers was limited.