140 Memory When You Need It Most: Review of Personalized Video Recording of Doctor-Patient Consultations at a Neurosurgical Institution. Issue Volume 61:Issue CN Supp. 1(2014)Supplement (1st August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Porter, Randall W.; Meeusen, Andrew J.; Grigaitis, Michele
• Is Part Of: Neurosurgery. Volume 61:Issue CN Supp. 1(2014)Supplement
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2014-08-01
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.48005
• DOI: 10.1227/01.neu.0000452414.45829.82
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-396X

Abstract

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Patients visiting a physician often have difficulty remembering everything the doctor told them during their consultation. Over half of all information presented is forgotten within hours or days. The goal of this study was to review the experience of multiple physicians at a neurosurgical institution with the use of a personalized video recording system to improve doctor-patient communication and provide a new tool to help patients retain the medical information presented to them. METHODS: Personalized video recordings were offered to patients of 6 neurosurgeons between 2009 and November 2013. Patients were given the opportunity to have their consultation recorded and uploaded to a secure website, then given access to the video to watch and listen to again at home. The authors collected surveys of patients' experiences with their videos and their ability to remember the information discussed during their visit. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred sixty-three videos were recorded between November 2009 and November 2013, representing 16.6% of total patients seen and 39.9% of total first-time visits. Four hundred ten of these patients were sent an electronic survey to ask about their impression of the service. 165 responses were collected (40.2%). More than 90% (91%) of respondents watched their video at least once an average of 2.2 times, and 64.24% shared their video with another person. 50.3% of respondents felt more at ease, 35.4% less anxious, and 65.8% could remember more of their doctor's instructions after watching their video. Additionally, 18.5% of total comments to the survey were regarding patients remembering more of their visit. CONCLUSION: Patients who cannot or do not remember their doctor's instructions are at risk of not adhering to those instructions, which can greatly impact quality of care and have adverse consequences. Video recording doctor-patient conversations can help patients to better follow all instructions and potentially improve their overall physical health following surgery.