T. M. Duong1, J. Cannon1, M. Morris1, G. Kennedy1, H. Karin1, G. Drew1, C. Shao1, L. Theiss1, I. Marques1, D. I. Chu1 1University Of Alabama at Birmingham,Department Of Surgery,Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Introduction: Significant opportunities exist to improve patient education materials (PEMs) as improved understanding correlates to better patient satisfaction and outcomes. Much of current surgical patient education materials (PEMs) are difficult to understand. We investigated and tested a method to improve surgical PEMs and understanding.
Methods: We utilized informational design with a professional artist to iteratively re-design the PEM for one surgery: sigmoidectomy. The CARP technique was used (contrast, alignment, repetition and placement) to create a one-page PEM. We presented the new PEM to 12 patients and family members. Participants were administered surveys including the BRIEF health literacy instrument to compare and quantify understanding between old and new PEMs.
Results: Using informational design with CARP, a new single-page PEM was constructed to show the steps and strategies used to resect and reconstruct the intestines during a sigmoidectomy. We recruited 12 participants to test the new PEM: 8 patients and 4 family members. Participant age range was 17-83 years with an average of 51.2 years. 38% of patients had limited health literacy by BRIEF and 50% were female. All participants understood and preferred the new PEM. All participants agreed that everyone or most people could understand the new PEM (vs. old PEM). Only 3 out of 12 participants agree that the old PEM could be understood by most people. No patients thought the old PEM could be understood by everyone. Over 50% of all participants stated that the new PEM: 1) captured their attention 2) helped them understand the procedure 3) informed them on how to prepare for their surgery 4) broke down steps to clear up their understanding of the surgical journey and 5) avoided confusion.
Conclusion: Using informational design with CARP, a more acceptable and understandable PEM on sigmoidectomy was constructed. The new PEM was accepted and understood by all individuals including those with limited health literacy.
