The use of high definition video modules for delivery of informed consent and wound care education in the Mohs Surgery Unit

Abstract

The use of video in the informed consent process has been well documented in the literature to improve patient satisfaction, understanding, comprehension, and to decrease anxiety. At the MD Anderson Mohs Surgery Unit, we use high-definition (HD) audiovisual (AV) modules to assist with the delivery of informed consent and to educate patients on the subject of postoperative wound care. The purpose of this work was to develop HD-AV media to inform patients of the risks, benefits, and alternatives of Mohs surgery before they are asked to sign the consent form and to educate patients on basic wound care after Mohs Surgery. The use of a HD virtual surgeon and nurse in the videos educates the patient, allowing the surgeon and nursing staff to attend to other patients within the Mohs Surgery Unit. Using HD digital recording equipment, we captured real-time HD-AV media to explain the risks, alternatives, and benefits of Mohs surgery (surgeon explanation) and to give detailed instructions for postoperative wound care (nurse explanation). Once captured, HD modules were created and stored on a central University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center server in the Texas Medical Center approximately 1 mile from the Mohs Surgery Unit. The full-screen HD modules are accessed on demand at the point of need with the use of standard institutional computers within any of the Mohs's center's examination/surgical suites. An early evaluation of this quality improvement initiative was performed to measure patient satisfaction, efficiency, and efficacy of the videos followed by physician/nurse discussion compared with physician/nurse discussion alone. Early evaluation of HD-AV modules used for the delivery of informed consent and postoperative wound care in the MD Anderson Mohs surgery Unit revealed that patient satisfaction was maintained and that this medium was preferred by patients in the video group over physician/nurse discussion alone. The HD modules allowed increased efficiency and patient comprehension, which improved patient education in the Mohs Surgery Unit.