A Video Decision Aid Decreases Fear of Colonoscopy After an Abnormal Fecal Immunochemical Test Result: A Pilot Study.

Key Takeaways for GI Nurses

• Video decision aids represent an evidence-based tool that can effectively reduce patient anxiety and fear surrounding colonoscopy procedures, particularly for patients with abnormal FIT results who may already be experiencing heightened concern
• Implementing structured educational interventions like video decision aids can enhance the pre-procedure patient experience and potentially improve patient compliance with follow-up colonoscopy recommendations
• This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the integration of multimedia patient education tools into standard pre-colonoscopy workflows for patients requiring diagnostic evaluation after abnormal screening results
• Patient fear reduction through targeted education may lead to improved procedural outcomes, better patient satisfaction scores, and reduced last-minute cancellations or no-shows

Clinical Relevance

For endoscopy nurses, this research highlights the critical role of structured patient education in addressing procedure-related anxiety, which is a common barrier to successful colonoscopy completion. Patients who receive abnormal FIT results often present to endoscopy units with heightened anxiety levels, making them more challenging to manage and potentially affecting their procedural experience. The use of video decision aids offers a standardized, reproducible method for delivering consistent educational content that can be easily integrated into existing pre-procedure protocols.

From an operational perspective, implementing video decision aids could streamline patient preparation processes while ensuring comprehensive education delivery regardless of staff availability or individual communication styles. This standardization is particularly valuable in busy endoscopy units where time constraints may limit the depth of individualized patient education. Additionally, patients who are less anxious and better informed about their procedures typically require less nursing intervention for anxiety management, allowing staff to focus clinical attention on other aspects of patient care.

The implications extend beyond immediate patient comfort to include potential improvements in informed consent processes, patient compliance with prep instructions, and overall satisfaction with the endoscopy experience. For GI nurses involved in quality improvement initiatives, video decision aids represent a measurable intervention that can positively impact patient-reported outcome measures and unit performance metrics related to patient experience and procedural efficiency.

Bottom Line

This pilot study demonstrates that video decision aids can serve as an effective, practical tool for reducing colonoscopy-related fear in patients with abnormal FIT results, offering GI nurses an evidence-based method to enhance patient education, reduce procedure-related anxiety, and potentially improve overall endoscopy unit outcomes through standardized, high-quality patient preparation protocols.