ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by intense pruritus that causes significant disease and psychosocial burden in patients. Patient education has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and patient knowledge of this condition. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the effectiveness of online video education at improving AD knowledge and disease severity compared with a written pamphlet, and to determine the usefulness and appeal of the two educational delivery vehicles. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 80 participants were randomized to receive either online video-based patient education or written pamphlet education about AD and its management. We assessed AD disease severity using the patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM) scale. AD knowledge was assessed with standardized questionnaires at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. RESULTS: All participants had similar baseline knowledge and AD severity at the beginning of the study. On study completion, improvements in AD knowledge assessed by questionnaire were significantly greater in the video group than the pamphlet group (3.05 vs 1.85, P = .011). Online video-based education resulted in greater improvement in clinical outcome, as measured by POEM, compared with pamphlet-based education (POEM score reduction of 3.30 vs 1.03, P = .0043). Finally, although the usefulness of both interventions was rated equally (P = .77), the online video was significantly more appealing than the pamphlet (P = .0086). LIMITATIONS: This study is limited to AD in adults. CONCLUSION: Online video for patient education is an effective and appealing tool for improving clinical outcomes in adult patients with AD.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Videotape Recording , Adult , Dermatitis, Atopic/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Online SystemsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To compare online video and pamphlet education at improving patient comprehension and adherence to sunscreen use, and to assess patient satisfaction with the two educational approaches. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 94 participants received either online, video-based education or pamphlet-based education that described the importance and proper use of sunscreen. Sun protective knowledge and sunscreen application behaviors were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks after group-specific intervention. RESULTS: Participants in both groups had similar levels of baseline sunscreen knowledge. Post-study analysis revealed significantly greater improvement in the knowledge scores from video group members compared to the pamphlet group (p=0.003). More importantly, video group participants reported greater sunscreen adherence (p<0.001). Finally, the video group rated their education vehicle more useful and appealing than the pamphlet group (p<0.001), and video group participants referred to the video more frequently (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: Video-based learning is a more effective educational tool for teaching sun protective knowledge and encouraging sunscreen use than written materials. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: More effective patient educational methods to encourage sun protection activities, such as regular sunscreen use, have the potential to increase awareness and foster positive, preventative health behaviors against skin cancers.
Subject(s)
Directive Counseling/methods , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Internet , Sunscreening Agents , Video Recording/methods , Adult , Dermatology , Educational Measurement , Educational Status , Female , Health Education , Humans , Male , Patient Education as Topic , Risk-Taking , Statistics as Topic , Surveys and Questionnaires , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
Despite efforts to increase melanoma awareness in the general public, research is scant regarding effective methods of education delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online, video-based education to increase melanoma awareness and knowledge. In this randomized controlled trial, 78 subjects received either an online, video-based education or written educational material (in the form of a pamphlet) on the description and detection of melanoma. Questionnaires were developed that assessed subjects' understanding of melanoma at baseline and at 1 month after receiving the educational intervention. Subjects in the online video group demonstrated significantly increased melanoma knowledge compared to those in the written education group, as measured by improvement from baseline on a 10-item questionnaire (2.03 and 0.72 improvement, respectively, p = 0.03). Furthermore, compared to those in the written education group, video group subjects rated their intervention significantly higher in terms of usefulness and appeal. The use of online videos may represent an effective method to raise melanoma awareness.
