Patient Education on Scarring Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Patient Preference for Information Delivery

BACKGROUND: There are multiple modalities for patient education ranging from written to audiovisual formats. However, little is known regarding which modality is optimal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient preference for educational materials about scar care following surgery for facial skin cancer using the FACE-Q Skin Cancer patient reported outcome measure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the day of Mohs surgery, patients were given a written handout or viewed a 3-minute animation video regarding best practices in scar improvement. Afterward, patients received the FACE-Q Skin Cancer-Satisfaction with Information: Appearance scale. Three months later, patients were called and given the same scale and additional questions regarding scar care.

RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were enrolled. There was no difference between the 2 groups' preoperative information scores (p = .85) and the three-month postoperative scores (p = .37). The change in preoperative and postoperative score showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (p = .21); but there was a trend of higher satisfaction in the video group on the day of Mohs surgery. After the 3-month timepoint, there was a higher satisfaction trend observed with the written handout group.

CONCLUSION: Patient preferences in information delivery and accessibility will contribute to greater information retention and satisfaction.