Evaluation of a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Video Decision Aid for Pet Owners

TL;DR

A short video about pet CPR improved owners' knowledge and confidence in making resuscitation decisions, without changing their initial preferences.

Contribution

A new video decision aid for pet CPR was developed and shown to enhance owner knowledge and decisional confidence.

Findings

Most pet owners did not change their resuscitation preference after watching the CPR-VDA.

The CPR-VDA significantly increased pet owners' knowledge of CPR and their confidence in decision-making.

The CPR-VDA was positively rated by participants and considered helpful and recommendable.

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Video Decision Aid (CPR‐VDA) on pet owners’ resuscitation preferences, decisional confidence, conflict, and knowledge of CPR.

Prospective, interventional survey study with data collected from January to March 2024. Owners of pets presenting through the Emergency Department completed a preintervention questionnaire. They then viewed a 7‐min CPR‐VDA and completed a postintervention questionnaire. Changes between pre‐ and postintervention scores were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Private referral hospital

Seventy‐eight pet owners

Viewing of a CPR‐VDA

The preintervention questionnaire assessed pet owner demographics, resuscitation preferences, decisional confidence and conflict, and prior knowledge about CPR. The postintervention questionnaire reassessed resuscitation preferences, decisional confidence and conflict, and CPR knowledge, with additional questions evaluating owner’ perceptions of the CPR‐VDA. Preintervention, 56 of 78 (72%) participants expressed a preference for “resuscitation” of their pet, five of 78 (6%) opted for “do not attempt resuscitation,” and 17 of 78 (22%) were “not sure.” Most participants (56/78 [72%]) did not change their resuscitation preference following the intervention. Participants felt more confident in their decision after watching the CPR‐VDA (p < 0.001). There was no difference in how conflicted they felt making this decision (median score on a rating scale of 1–5 was 2.25 preintervention and 2.42 postintervention; p = 0.192). Their knowledge of CPR improved (median correct answers increasing from 5.5/9 to 9/9; p < 0.001). Most participants rated the video “good” or “excellent” (72/78 [92%]), found the video helpful (62/78 [79%]), and were likely to recommend it to other pet owners (72/78 [92%]).

The use of a CPR‐VDA improved pet owner knowledge of CPR and increased their confidence in decision making. The CPR‐VDA was well received by pet owners and may be a useful tool to facilitate discussions regarding this topic.

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