INTERACTIVE METHOD OF INFORMING PATIENTS OF THE RISKS OF INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST MEDIAL

PURPOSE: To evaluate interactive computer-based informed consent for u se of contrast material versus the same information in a written forma t. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 160) referred for radiologic e xamination with intravenous contrast material were block randomized (s ex, age, and previous exposure to contrast material) into two groups a nd were provided either written or computer-based (video) informed con sent. RESULTS: The female patients in the video group scored better on the test than those in the group with the written consent form. Male patients attained equivalent scores with both types of consent. The vi deo took an average of 1.6 minutes longer to complete, probably becaus e the majority of patients chose to be informed of every risk of intra venous contrast material. CONCLUSION: This project demonstrates that a video format for informed consent before use of intravenous contrast material offers a good alternative to the written consent form.