The use of multimedia consent programs for surgical procedures: a systematic review.

Objective. To compare multimedia and standard consent, in respect to patient comprehension, anxiety, and satisfaction, for various surgical/interventional procedures. Data sources. Electronic searches of PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid, Embase, and Google Scholar were performed. Relevant articles were assessed by 2 independent reviewers. Study selection. Comparative (randomized and nonrandomized control trials) studies of multimedia and standard consent for a variety of surgical/interventional procedures were included. Studies had to report on at least one of the outcome measures. Data extraction. Studies were reviewed by 2 independent investigators. The first investigator extracted all relevant data, and consensus of each extraction was performed by a second investigator to verify the data. Conclusion. Overall, this review suggests that the use of multimedia as an adjunct to conventional consent appears to improve patient comprehension. Multimedia leads to high patient satisfaction in terms of feasibility, ease of use, and availability of information. There is no conclusive evidence demonstrating a significant reduction in preoperative anxiety.