Reliability, usability, and efficiency of video versus print instructions to teach parents a procedural task: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the reliability, usability, and efficiency of video versus print instructions to teach parents a procedural measurement task. We hypothesized that videos would outperform print in all outcomes.

STUDY

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study included parents/caregivers of children aged 0-18 years with deep vein thrombosis attending the Thrombosis Clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children for post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) assessment. Participants were randomly assigned to three instruction types: (i) video, which followed the technique used by clinicians; (ii) long pamphlet, which also followed the clinicians' technique; and (iii) short pamphlet, which explained a simplified technique. After measuring their children's arms or legs using the randomly assigned material, participants completed a usability questionnaire. The reliability of the instructions was estimated by comparing parents/caregivers versus clinicians' measurements using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability, usability, and efficiency (time to task completion) were compared among the three instruction types.

RESULTS

In total, 92 participants were randomized to video (n = 31), long pamphlet (n = 31), and short pamphlet (n = 30). While the video had the highest usability, the short pamphlet was the most reliable and efficient. ICCs were .17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: .00-.39) for the video, .53 (95% CI: .30-.72) for the long pamphlet, and .70 (95% CI: .50-.81) for the short pamphlet.

CONCLUSION

Although the video had higher usability, the short/simplified print instruction was more reliable and efficient. However, the reliability of the short pamphlet was only moderate/good, suggesting that whenever possible, measurements should still be obtained by trained clinicians.