Previous studies demonstrate that patients often have difficulty understanding their discharge instructions. Video discharge instructions have the potential to mitigate factors such as illiteracy and limited physician time, which may affect comprehension. Our goal is to determine if adding video discharge instructions affects caregivers' understanding of their child's emergency department (ED) visit, plan and follow-up.
Caregivers of patients, age 29 days to 18 years, with a diagnosis of fever, vomiting or diarrhea, and wheezing or asthma were randomized into written or video discharge instruction groups. In the ED, caregivers read standard written discharge instructions or watched a 3-minute video based on their child's diagnosis. They were then asked questions regarding information covered in these instructions. After completing the 20-point questionnaire, standard discharge procedure was followed. Caregivers were contacted by phone 2-5 days after discharge for a follow-up questionnaire. Usefulness of the discharge instructions was also assessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
436
Group of caregivers who read the standard written discharge instructions prior to answering the questionnaire
Group of caregivers who watched the 3 minute video covering the information in the standard written discharge instructions prior to answering the questionnaire
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia, United States
Knowledge about the child's diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
After reading standard written discharge instructions or watching a 3 minute video covering the information in the written discharge instructions, a questionnaire was completed by each caregiver. Knowledge was assessed based on the number of correct responses given by each caregiver at the time of ED discharge and 2-5 days post-discharge.
Time frame: up to 5 days
Caregiver satisfaction with their discharge instructions
Caregivers either read standard written discharge instructions or watched a 3 minute video covering the information in the discharge instructions. Caregivers were then asked to rate their satisfaction with the discharge instructions using a 5-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Satisfaction will be assessed at two time points within 5 days of being evaluated in the Emergency Department
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