Author(s)
Vidur Bhalla, MD
Donald D. Beahm, MD
Kevin J. Sykes, PhD, MPH
Kavindu K. Ndeti, BA
Alexander G. Chiu, MD, FARS
Affiliation(s)
University of Kansas Medical Center
Abstract:
Introduction:Video nasal endoscopy has significant associated expense for practices, but its use has been justified by the benefit it provides to the examiner. No study has examined the perceived benefit to the patient. In this study, the impact of video endoscopy on patient satisfaction is evaluated. Methods:A prospective, randomized single-blinded study was performed on new patients receiving care in the rhinology clinics of a tertiary-care center. Patients were randomized into the standard endoscopic examination (SEE) or a video endoscopic examination (VEE) groups. SEE patients had their examination performed with the physician viewing the exam through the eyepiece and subsequently had their examination explained by the physician. VEE patients had their examination performed on the screen, recorded, and then used for the explanation. All patients were asked to complete the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form 18 (PSQ-18). Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences between cohorts.Results:25 patients were included in each cohort. There was no significant demographic difference between groups. SNOT-22 total and domain scores were similar between both groups (p>.05). VEE patients had significantly higher general satisfaction (p=.048) and communication (p=.028) domains within the PSQ-18, while technical quality domain approached significance (p=.059). There were no differences between other domains (p>.05).Conclusions: VEE is valuable tool for otolaryngologists and patients. Further studies evaluating patient compliance and symptomatology may provide further justification in its use.