NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT THE SERVICE OF THE PATIENT

Abstract

Abstract Introduction In the surgical field, information about operations is traditionally written down in the informed consent form, which often uses technical language that is difficult for patients to understand. Even when accompanied by verbal explanations, patients only seem to retain between 20–60% of the details. With the purpose of improving the effectiveness of communication with our patients during the surgical process, from the Day Surgery Unit of our hospital we have developed a protocol to provide an audio-visual aid to the information supplied. Methods Two explanatory videos were developed for inguinal hernia repair and pilonidal cyst surgery, which were given to the patients under the care of our service using a QR code, both in the preoperative consultation and at discharge. The videos included simple explanations regarding the disease, procedure and postoperative care, in terms easily understandable to the general population. Subsequently, during postoperative follow-ups, feedback from the first 105 patients was collected. Results Results showed that, out of the first 105 patients who received the QR code, 72 watched the video, and of those, 100% were satisfied with the quality of the information provided and recognised that it improved their understanding of the procedure. Conclusions The use of new technologies, and, more specifically, of audio-visual support, could help to improve the comprehension of information received throughout surgical procedures, since it enables its repeated viewing and its sharing with relatives, which could improve the patient's overall satisfaction.