Patients who saw an information video 1 week before colonoscopy had reduced anxiety and better knowledge immediately before the procedure
QUESTION: Does viewing an information video about 1 week before a scheduled colonoscopy reduce patient anxiety and increase knowledge about the procedure?
Design
Randomised (allocation not concealed), blinded (outcome assessor), controlled trial.
Setting
A day surgery unit at a hospital in South Australia, Australia.
Patients
150 patients (51% men) who were scheduled for colonoscopy between January and August 1998. Exclusion criteria were age <16 years, inadequate understanding of English, and mental impairment. Follow up was complete.
Intervention
About 1 week before colonoscopy, 72 patients were allocated to the video group and viewed a 10 minute videotape in a separate room. A well known actor narrated the video using non-medical language and discussed the procedure with a colonoscopist and with a patient who had previously had a colonoscopy. 78 patients were allocated to usual care. All patients received …
