Implementation of educational video improves patient understanding of basic breast cancer concepts in an undereducated county hospital population

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a video on patient understanding of basic breast cancer concepts. Methods An 11 item tool of breast cancer concepts was devised. A previous study obtained baseline information on patient knowledge. Subsequently an 8min video was designed to facilitate the understanding of these concepts. The next 40 consecutive patients who saw the video were then administered the same 11 item questionnaire. Results Eighty-one women agreed to participate in the study, 41 before and 40 after the implementation of the video. Fifty-one percent had less than a high school education. The group who saw the video had a higher mean number of questions correct (6.7 vs. 8.9, P=0.0007). Interestingly 90% of all respondents correctly answered the question on the value of screening mammography, however, only 37% of these patients underwent screening mammograms. A multiple linear regression model adjusting for years of education, language, and seeing the video, revealed that having seen the video (P=0.0029) and years of education (P=0.0002) remained significantly associated with higher score. Conclusions Implementation of an educational video significantly improved understanding of breast cancer concepts in an undereducated population.