Web App– and Text Message–Based Patient Education in Mohs Micrographic Surgery—A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Consent and wound care (WC) videos are used for education in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Postoperative text messaging is poorly studied. OBJECTIVE Develop and evaluate perioperative resources for MMS patients—video modules (DermPatientEd.com) and postoperative text messaging (DermTexts.com). MATERIALS AND METHODS A study was conducted on 90 MMS patients. Patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to videos with text messages, videos-only, text messages-only, or control. Primary outcomes included preoperative anxiety and knowledge of MMS and postoperative care. The secondary outcome included helpfulness/preference of interventions. RESULTS Patients experienced a 19% reduction in anxiety as measured by a visual analog scale after the MMS video (p = .00062). There was no difference in knowledge after the WC video (p = .21498). Patients were more likely to report the WC video "very helpful" when compared with the pamphlet in understanding postoperative WC (p = .0016). Patients in text messaging groups were not more likely to report the service as "very helpful" when compared with the pamphlet (p = .3566), but preferred to receive WC instructions by text message for future visits (p = .0001). CONCLUSION These resources proved helpful and effective in reducing preoperative anxiety. Patients prefer text message–based WC instructions over pamphlets after experiencing the service, but do not find them more helpful. Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Spencer D. Hawkins, MD, 1910 A. Alfred Taubman Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5314, e-mail: spencerhawkins@gmail.com Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the full text and PDF versions of this article on the journal's Web site (http://ift.tt/2bw6lgr). Supported by Sulzberger Institute, American Academy of Dermatology. Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, is supported in part by an unrestricted educational grant from Galderma Laboratories, L.P. S.R. Feldman is the founder and holds stock in Causa Research. The remaining authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. This trial has been approved by WFBH Institutional Review Board and the WFBH Comprehensive Cancer Center's Protocol Review Committee. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02373722, http://ift.tt/2FQOC2J. © 2018 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2EnUCmA