Comparison of different methods of patient education on preeclampsia: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening condition unique to pregnancy that contributes to maternal mortality worldwide. Delays in diagnosis and treatment are contributing factors for most maternal deaths from preeclampsia. Patients who are educated and knowledgeable regarding this disease process may present earlier for care.

Objective

To assess whether two different visual aids are effective methods to educate patients about preeclampsia, and to evaluate the potential impact of these visual aids on patient anxiety.

Study design

Primigravid participants at a tertiary care center were given a survey regarding preeclampsia knowledge 18–25 weeks gestation. Participants were then randomized to preeclampsia education with a graphic card, an educational video, or through routine prenatal care. Participants completed the survey again at 32–37 weeks gestation. We compared the follow-up preeclampsia knowledge score for each type of education as well as the level of anxiety after viewing the video or graphic card.

Results

Recruitment began 9 May 2016 and ceased 18 January 2017. A total of 179 patients were randomized and 150 participants completed the study, with 56 shown the graphic card, 45 shown the educational video, and 49 who had only routine prenatal counseling. The remaining 28 patients were lost to follow up and 1 was withdrawn. There was no significant difference in preeclampsia knowledge score at follow-up. There was no significant difference in anxiety score before and after viewing either educational tool for those randomized to either the graphic card (p = .64) or the video (p = .63).

Conclusions

There is no additional improvement of patient knowledge retention when patients receive education with a graphic card versus an educational video over routine prenatal counseling. Patient anxiety does not appear to be impacted by preeclampsia education with a graphic card or an educational video.

Keywords:

• Preeclampsia
• patient education
• anxiety
• visual aids

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Eleni Tsigas for providing us with the graphic cards from the Preeclampsia Foundation and Whitney Young for providing us with preeclampsia knowledge survey that was validated and used in her previous studies [1,6].

Part of these results were presented at the 5th International Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics May 26, 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic as well as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting on April 27–28, 2018 in Austin, Texas.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Clinical trial registration

Clinical trial number: NCT02765906, registered May 9th, 2016 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02765906?term=education&cond=preeclampsia&rank=1

Data availability  statement

Raw data were generated at Geisinger. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (Emmie Strassberg, DO) on request.

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported and funded internally by Geisinger.