Abstract
Purpose::
To determine the percentage of knowledge retained following a pre-operative assessment and whether any improvement in that knowledge occurred after an audio tape recording of the consultation was provided
Methods::
In the first part of the study, patients undergoing cataract surgery were given verbal and written explanation about cataract surgery. The recall of pre-operative information provided was checked by administering a study questionnaire. In the second part of study, the whole of the preoperative assessment interview was recorded and the patients were instructed to hear the audio tape at home. The information recall was checked again and a Mini mental state examination (MMSE) was carried out to assess the cognition.
Results::
There were 82 patients in the first part of the study and 56 patients in the second part. The overall recall of correct information was 40% in the first part of study. In the second part of the study, the information recall improved (P<0.01) and was found to be 64.7% in the first eye group and 70.8% in the second eye group among the female patients. Male patients had a higher recall in the first eye group (71.9%) and a lower recall in the second eye group (60.2%). The cognition was intact and the overall mean score was 28.24± 1.1 (28.2 in 1st eye surgery and 28.5 in 2nd eye surgery group).
Conclusions::
Our results show that patients education and hence the recall can be improved by simple provision of a recorded audio tape of their pre-operative interview.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower • cataract • intraocular lens