Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the value of audio-recordings in aiding patient understanding and recall of preoperative breast reconstruction information.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study. Participants were randomly allocated into either a recording group who were offered the opportunity to record their breast reconstruction explanation of surgery, or a standard information package group who received standard care. The value of having an audio-recording was assessed by semi-structured interviews and analysis of recurring themes.ResultsBetween 21/2/19 and 19/3/20, 32 women attending consultations for breast reconstruction consented to participate in the study, 17 were randomly assigned to the recording group and 15 the standard information package group. Twenty-eight of the 32 participants completed qualitative interviews. All participants agreed that audio-recordings were a beneficial resource which allowed them to have a better understanding of the concepts discussed. Commonly reported themes included the ability to listen to the recording multiple times to refresh memory, as well as usefulness in helping to inform other family members. Participants also reported increased levels of trust in their clinician for allowing the audio-recordings. Very few participants raised any medico-legal implications of the recordings, their focus was more on the potential of the audio-recordings to alleviate the overwhelming nature of a pre-operative breast reconstruction consultation.ConclusionsThere was a positive response from participants to the use of audio-recordings in the setting of breast reconstruction consultations. These types of recordings could potentially be used in other complex appointments where detailed information is discussed, with similar success.
Highlights
To investigate the value of audio-recordings in aiding patient understanding and recall of preoperative breast reconstruction information
The majority of research in this area is in the field of cancer, studies have been performed in orthopaedic [19] and neurosurgical [20] consultations where the results of qualitative interviews found recordings had a positive impact on patient understanding
Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction consultations differ from oncology, in that they relate to quality of life and its varying domains including psychosocial and sexual well-being, rather than issues of survival
Summary
To investigate the value of audio-recordings in aiding patient understanding and recall of preoperative breast reconstruction information. Patients reported a significant memory barrier as being the result of a phenomenon known as chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment or ‘chemobrain,’ whereby there is an impairment in memory, concentration, attention, reasoning, visuospatial skills, and executive functioning [9,10,11,12,13] This can last up to several years following chemotherapy [11, 14, 15]. Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction consultations differ from oncology, in that they relate to quality of life and its varying domains including psychosocial and sexual well-being, rather than issues of survival These patients are in a very different frame of mind and can be at high risk of experiencing difficulties with memory after completing their chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to use qualitative interviews to investigate the acceptability and value of audio-recordings as a memory aid in the delivery of information for pre-operative breast reconstruction patients
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