Impact of Educational Cartoon on Pediatric Bowel Preparation Quality at Time of Colonoscopy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate if addition of educational cartoon to pediatric bowel preparation instructions improves the quality of bowel preparation and patient experience.

Methods: Patients were randomized to control group receiving standard bowel preparation instructions or intervention group receiving additional educational cartoon. To objectively rate bowel preparation, a blinded endoscopist completed numeric Ottawa score (0-14, with 0 being best). The family also completed a questionnaire rating the bowel preparation process.

Results: Data from 23 patients were analyzed. Mean Ottawa score in the intervention group compared with controls was not significantly different (mean scores 3.73 and 3.33, respectively; P = .384). Level of education was significantly correlated with better Ottawa score in the overall population (ρ = -.462, P = .026) and within the control group (ρ = -.658, P = .02). Both groups of patients reported positive experience with bowel preparation.

Conclusion: There may be benefit to further investigation of this educational cartoon in parents with less than college level education or non-English-speaking families in larger population of patients.

Keywords: bowel preparation; colonoscopy; patient education; pediatrics.

Figure 1.

Bowel preparation cartoon. The cartoon underscores the importance of diet and the bowel preparation regimen prior to successful colonoscopy.

Figure 2.

Patient recruitment and randomization.

Figure 3.

Ottawa scores by level of education.