Improving Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation and Reducing Patient Anxiety Through Recently Developed Online Information Resource: A Cross-sectional Study

Avni Jain; Ruchi Jain; Zoann Nugent; Zahra Solati; Dylan Davidson; Leigh Anne Shafer; Gayle Restall; Kristin Reynolds; Harminder Singh

doi:10.1093/jcag/gwab047

Improving Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation and Reducing Patient Anxiety Through Recently Developed Online Information Resource: A Cross-sectional Study

J Can Assoc Gastroenterol. 2022 Apr 28;5(4):161-168. doi: 10.1093/jcag/gwab047. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Authors

Avni Jain¹, Ruchi Jain¹, Zoann Nugent¹, Zahra Solati¹, Dylan Davidson², Leigh Anne Shafer¹, Gayle Restall³, Kristin Reynolds², Harminder Singh¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
² Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
³ Department of Occupational Therapy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Abstract

Introduction: Invasive medical procedures such as colonoscopies can cause psychological distress and anxiety. Mycolonoscopy.ca is a multilanguage website that provides online written and video information (individual items reported in prior publications to be highly rated by patients) regarding preparation and what to expect before, during, and after colonoscopy. Information about how to access the website is included with all colonoscopy appointment materials in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We evaluated the use of mycolonoscopy.ca among patients undergoing colonoscopy and examined the association between visitation to the website and patient outcomes.

Methods: A paper-based survey was distributed to patients attending their colonoscopy appointments between 11/2019 and 3/2020. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with website visitation, procedural worry, and bowel preparation scores.

Results: Five hundred and ninety-three surveys were distributed, of which 506 were completed. 17.4% of participants had visited the website before their colonoscopy. Visitors to mycolonoscopy.ca were more likely to consume a split-dose bowel preparation (63.9%) compared with non-visitors (52.5%) (P = 0.006). 31.3% of website visitors were very/extremely worried about their colonoscopy compared with 17.9% of non-visitors. 76.6% of individuals agreed/strongly agreed that visiting the website helped them prepare for their colonoscopy and 69.7% who visited the website agreed/strongly agreed that it helped to reduce their stress/anxiety for the procedure. In multivariable analyses, visitation to website was associated with higher adequate bowel preparation (OR:10.55; 95% CI:1.35 to 82.4).

Conclusion: Use of an informative online platform such as mycolonoscopy.ca can help to improve patient education before colonoscopy, reduce worry surrounding the procedure, and improve bowel preparation.

Keywords: Knowledge translation; Patient education; Procedural anxiety.