Optometrist to Operation: Patients' Perspective on the Innovative Use of Quick Response (QR) Code-Linked Patient Information Video on Cataract Surgery

Background: This study aimed to explore patients' subjective utility for a patient information video (PIV) on cataract surgery and analyse the use of a quick response (QR) code as a mode of delivery of the PIV.

Methods: A total of 500 patients were included in the study. All patients were given a paper form of the patient information leaflet (PIL) as the standard of care (SoC) in addition to a digital QR code to access a supplementary PIV. The questionnaire explored the patients' understanding of cataracts, the risks and benefits of cataract surgery, and their experience accessing and using the QR code.

Results: A total of 321 responses were collected (64% response rate). The majority were female (55%), with a mean age of 75 years. Among these, 69% (n = 222/321) managed to watch the video. A statistically significant association was reported between prior experience with QR codes and the ability to watch the video (p<0.001). The most common reason for not watching the video was no device (n=54/99, 54%). Ninety-one percent of the patients who watched the video expressed a desire for additional healthcare videos in the future.

Overall, most patients (n=170/222, 76%) acknowledged that the PIV was easier to understand when compared to paper-format information, with a minority of patients reporting the PIV missing information that was covered on paper (n=2/222).

Conclusions: The provision of PIV supplementation as a part of the cataract surgery referral pathway is an innovative method of providing patient information in a more interactive way, with positive feedback from patients.