Enhancing Patient Education: Evaluating the Efficacy of a Video-Based Diagnostic Tool for Hand and Wrist Conditions

Introduction Improving patient understanding of health conditions before consultations can enhance readiness, comprehension, adherence, and outcomes. This study evaluates whether a physician-designed interactive video helps patients self-diagnose one of thirteen common hand and wrist conditions before consulting a specialist. Developed collaboratively with hand specialists and patients, the video guides users through a structured decision-making process to identify their condition. We hypothesize that patients who utilize the video-based diagnostic tool prior to their appointment will be more likely to correctly identify their diagnosis. Methods Fifty-six patients were randomized into control and experimental groups. The control group selected a diagnosis from a list of thirteen conditions without guidance, while the experimental group used the interactive video beforehand. Patients were recruited from a single physician's practice at a Midwest tertiary care academic institution. Eligibility required that patients were 18 years or older, without a prior diagnosis or history of the condition. Also, patients’ condition needed to be included in the diagnosis list. Those with medically related careers were excluded. Results The control group correctly identified their condition 22.22% of the time (n=27), while the experimental group achieved 51.72% accuracy (n=29). The difference approached statistical significance (p=0.023). Discussion/Clinical Significance Interactive video tools appear to significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, enabling more informed discussions with healthcare providers. Further research should explore long-term impacts on satisfaction, adherence, and outcomes. Pre-visit knowledge may reduce consultation times, promote conservative management, and enhance decision-making. By empowering patients to understand their condition, interactive tools can potentially improve engagement and patient outcomes.