488 - Assessing Benefit of an Evidence Based Revision of a Patient Information Leaflet on Oro-Dental Care for Radiotherapy Patients
S Alwan
Presented by: Sarah Alwan
Morriston Hospital
Introduction In our region, since COVID-19 lockdown, radiotherapy patients irregularly receive Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) or expert advice about oro-dental care. I updated a PIL in accordance with evidence based guidance, ensuring they are delivered to pre-radiotherapy patients alongside a patient education script I designed to be discussed by dental nurses mid-radiotherapy. I assessed to what extent these interventions increased radiotherapy patient knowledge on oro-dental care post-radiotherapy. Methods A new PIL was based on latest evidence based guidance from Royal College of Surgeons of England. The new PIL and training script (delivered by nurses) was randomly distributed to 50% of all appropriate head and neck radiotherapy patients at our hospital over a 4 month period, the other 50% receiving original PIL and no training. A questionnaire was given to patients post radiotherapy which tested their knowledge of material oro-dental risks and implications of radiotherapy. Results 106 patients were assessed (69 M/34 F). Of 53 participants receiving training and updated PIL, 94% read it and 100% of these felt ‘well informed’ on the topics. Knowledge analysis showed improved knowledge test scores in patients with access to training and new PIL compared to those without, with the mean score 15.8% higher in the test group. Conclusion Access to training and new PIL considerably increased patients subjectively expressing that they were 'well informed’. There was a positive increase in the updated PIL group being able to correctly answer the knowledge questions regarding the oro-dental implications of radiotherapy. Consequently, this training script and PIL is recommended for distribution to radiotherapy patients in our region.
Consent Statement: There are no details on individual patients reported within the abstract.
Poster