Interventional radiology education: Patient experience with an educational website

Abstract

Rationale and objectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the impact of an educational website on patient understanding of Interventional Radiology (IR). Material and methodsAn informational website with descriptions and images of 12 common IR procedures was developed with the aim of educating patients. One hundred patients referred to a large, academic institution were randomly selected to participate. Anonymous 11-question, 5-point Likert-scale assessments were administered before and after engaging with the educational website. The survey evaluated patients' understanding of IR procedures and satisfaction with the website as an educational tool. ResultsOne hundred patients completed the pre−/post-implementation evaluations. Among matched questions, there was an increase in patient understanding of IR with mean score improvement from 2.10 to 4.57 (p < 0.001), their knowledge of common procedures from 1.74 to 4.66 (p < 0.001), and their consideration for their next procedure to be with IR from 2.24 to 4.62 (p < 0.001). Additionally, patients had an overall positive impression of the website (mean 4.80). Over 75% of patients found the descriptions and images “very helpful”. ConclusionThis study demonstrated that website use for patient education has the potential to be effective in increasing overall patient understanding of IR and familiarity with common interventional procedures.