Lights camera action: Randomized control trial evaluating the impact of a preoperative instructional video on patient satisfaction following minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

TL;DR

A pre-surgery video improved patient satisfaction for gynecologic procedures, but had no effect on anxiety, pain, or recovery metrics.

Contribution

This study is the first to evaluate a preoperative instructional video's impact on patient satisfaction in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

Findings

Patients who received the video had higher satisfaction scores compared to those who received only standard counseling.

No differences were observed in preparedness, anxiety, pain, medication compliance, or postoperative visits between groups.

Audiovisual tools can provide standardized information and be improved through patient feedback.

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of a pre-operative instructional video for patients undergoing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) on patient satisfaction following surgery, pre-procedure anxiety, postoperative pain, and patient preparedness.

A randomized control trial was performed at an academic subspecialty gynecologic clinic. A total of 57 patients participated in the study who underwent robotic or laparoscopic surgery with same day discharge after surgery between October 2023 and March 2025. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: preoperative video in addition to standard physician counseling and standard physician counseling alone prior to surgery.

Patients who received supplemental video counseling had higher satisfaction scores compared to those in the control group. No differences were seen in preparedness levels, pre-procedural anxiety, medication compliance, narcotic use, postoperative pain, number of postoperative visits, or number of MyChart and telephone encounters.

Video counseling can be utilized to improve patient satisfaction for gynecologic surgeries. Future considerations include continued development of these tools and further study on their potential benefits for improved clinical efficiency.

As technology evolves, we can continue to advance the care patients receive in the perioperative period. Audiovisual instruction can help provide patients with a visually appealing option to guide them through the steps of the recovery process and may be able to improve efficiency in the clinic visit.

•Administration of a preoperative counseling video prior to gynecologic surgery led to improved satisfaction and patient experience factors.•No differences were seen in preparedness, pre-procedural anxiety, pain scores, medication compliance, or number of postoperative visits.•Audiovisual counseling can provide standardized information to patients and can be iteratively developed based on patient feedback.

Administration of a preoperative counseling video prior to gynecologic surgery led to improved satisfaction and patient experience factors.

No differences were seen in preparedness, pre-procedural anxiety, pain scores, medication compliance, or number of postoperative visits.

Audiovisual counseling can provide standardized information to patients and can be iteratively developed based on patient feedback.

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