Lung Cancer Patient Preoperative Education Video Reaps Benefits

Researchers may have created an antidote to the emotional and physical difficulties that lung cancer patients face before and after an operation, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The antidote, a 30-minute preparation video, presented to lung procedure patients lessened anxiety about the procedure, decreased physical pain after the operation, and produced higher rates of overall satisfaction with the operative experience.

According to Traves D. Crabtree, MD, FACS, lead author of the study and assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, the ultimate goal of the video was to help put patients at ease as they prepare for their operations. The 30-minute video offers information on the entire lung operation experience, from surgery preparation to standard expectations several months after surgery. Pain management issues and information on warning signs for possible problems following discharge are also provided in the video.

“As much as possible, we wanted patients to be able to take some ownership,” Crabtree said. “We wanted them to think, ‘what can I do to help myself?’”

Men and women in their 60s receiving the lung procedure made up the 270 study participants. Between September 2008 and June 2009, 134 of those patients were part of the control group, and they received the standard physician consultation and written materials about the operation. Between September 2009 and October 2010, 136 lung procedure patients were given the standard preoperative preparation instructions, along with the video to watch at home voluntarily.

Crabtree conducted surveys at discharge and at 2 and 4 weeks after the procedure. At discharge, patients rated their pain on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 meaning no pain and 5 meaning excruciating pain. Those who did not watch the video rated their pain at an average of 1.34. However, patients who did watch the video reported less pain, at an average score of .98. The survey also allowed patients to rate their overall experience from 1 to 5. Patients who watched the video reported a higher average satisfaction score of 2.14. The control group rates averaged 1.85. Patients who watched the video also felt better prepared and reported less anxiety regarding the operation.

Patient education tools like the video are not intended to supersede surgeons, Crabtree stated. Rather the video should complement conversations held with patients. “This video may save the surgeon time and make the experience better for the patient. We don’t want physicians to think they don’t have to spend time with patients, but the video makes it more interactive,” he explained.

Source: American College of Surgeons.