How Do We Best Educate Our Patients' Caregivers? Comparing the Efficacy of Print Versus Media-based Education Materials in Peripheral Nerve Catheter and Pain Pump Education.

Background: Media-based educational materials (EMs) are becoming prominent. The purpose of this study was to compare print versus media-based EMs given to caregivers of pediatric and young adult patients undergoing surgery. We aimed to see whether print or media-based EMs lead to greater caregiver satisfaction, comfort, and preparedness for outpatient peripheral nerve catheter and pain pump management. We also assessed caregiver preference for EM modality.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that media-based EMs would demonstrate greater overall efficacy and thus generate higher caregiver preference.

Study Design: Randomized control trial.

Methods: After IRB approval, clinicaltrials.gov registration (17-0638), and informed consent, caregivers were randomized to either media or print-based EM groups. Caregivers reviewed their assigned EM and completed a standardized assessment of their comprehension. We assessed caregiver satisfaction, preparedness, and comfort level with the content on a 5-point Likert scale. On postoperative days 1 to 2, caregivers reported satisfaction, comfort, and preference for EM modality. An intent-to-treat analysis was used to compare the 2 groups.

Results: From our final cohort of 135 caregivers, we found no difference [P>0.05] in satisfaction, comfort level, level of preparedness, or discharge readiness scores between groups. After the caregivers were given both EMs, they were evenly split in their preference for print (49.6%) versus video (50.4%) based methods.

Conclusions: We did not detect a significant difference in caregiver preference or feelings of preparedness between groups. Interestingly, a significant proportion of caregivers (25%) did not feel comfortable managing the peripheral nerve catheter and its pain pump at home. Future studies should work to improve caregiver comfort with educational content before patient discharge.

Clinical Relevance: Providers and institutions should feel comfortable providing both print and media-based patient and caregiver education. Caregiver education may be best suited based on caregiver preference of one EM modality versus the other.

Level Of Evidence: Level I.