How patients can use tablet devices to learn about surgical procedures
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How patients can use tablet devices to learn about surgical procedures

Claire Liu Senior specialist nurse in breast, Nightingale Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust

Claire Liu outlines the benefits and security implications of using computer technology to help establish realistic expectations for the outcomes of breast surgery

The aim of this project was to develop a patient education resource using a tablet device to display images of a variety of breast surgical and reconstruction procedures. This involved working with colleagues to explore optimum processes to encourage patients’ inclusion in the decision-making process. Challenges arose investigating the best procedures to maximise the versatility and efficiency of the device, while ensuring the resource could be easily used and updated with the development of novel surgical techniques. The resulting educational resource has enhanced patient care as it enables extensive discussion of reconstruction aesthetics with the aim of obtaining informed consent and establishing realistic expectations of surgery. While it has shown merit in the field of breast surgery, it could be used in other fields.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 14, 7, 24-27. doi: 10.7748/cnp.14.7.24.e1219

Correspondence

claire.liu@uhsm.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double-blind review and checked using antiplagiarism software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 05 May 2015

Accepted: 19 June 2015

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