Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[3-dimensional computer animation--a new medium for supporting patient education before surgery. Acceptance and assessment of patients based on a prospective randomized study--picture versus text].
The rigorous implementation of clear preoperative information is mandatory for the patient's understanding, acceptance and written informed consent to all diagnostic and surgical procedures. In the present study, I evaluated whether new media are suitable for conveying basic information to patients; I analysed the merits of computerized animation to illustrate a difficult treatment process, i.e., the progressive steps of a thyroid operation, in comparison to the use of conventional flyers. ⋯ Preoperative surgical information can be optimized by presenting the operative procedure via computer animation. Nowadays, several types of new media such as the world wide web, CD, DVD, and digital TV are readily available and--as shown here--suitable for effective visual explanation. Most patients are familiar with acquiring new information by one of these means. An appropriately designed 3D repre-sentation is met with a high level of acceptance, as the present study clearly shows. Modern patient-based information systems are necessary. They can no longer be the sole responsibility of the medical profession, but must be on the agenda of hospital managements and of medical care systems as well.