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Scientific Oral Presentation

Pediatric Otolaryngology

Assessing Caregiver Comprehension of Risks Associated with Pediatric Ear Tube Insertion: A Multimedia Intervention Study

Sunday, October 18, 2026
1:30 PM - 1:36 PM PT
Location: 409AB

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Kalpnaben R. Patel, MD,CCRP

    Pediatric Otolaryngology Research Coordinator
    Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Franklin, TN, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • James D. Phillips, MD

    Associate Professor
    Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    Brentwood, Tennessee, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • SN

    Samuel Nwosu, n/a

    Lead Biostatistician
    Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States

Disclosure(s):
Kalpnaben R. Patel, MD,CCRP:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Informed consent is a critical component of preoperative care for pediatric tympanostomy tube insertion, one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in children. Multimedia tools may enhance caregiver understanding and satisfaction during the consent process. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multimedia educational video incorporated into standard preoperative counseling.

Methods: This randomized, prospective intervention study piloted a narrated whiteboard animation video for caregivers of children undergoing first-time tympanostomy tube insertion at a tertiary-care hospital. The intervention arm received standard physician counseling followed by the video, while the control arm received standard counseling alone. Both groups completed post-counseling and post-op surveys assessing satisfaction and comprehension.

Results: Over two years, 60 caregivers were enrolled. Participants were predominantly White (81.4%); 3.4% identified as Black or African American, 3.4% as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish, and 11.8% as another race or preferred not to answer. Caregivers in the video-consent group more frequently reported being strongly satisfied with preoperative counseling compared with the standard-consent group (22.6% vs 14.8%). Additionally, 32.2% agreed that the video was helpful, and 58.6% believed multimedia should continue to be incorporated into the consent process. No statistically significant difference was observed in post-counseling comprehension scores between groups (OR = 0.53, p = 0.211). Caregivers with a college education demonstrated significantly higher comprehension scores than those without a college degree (OR = 3.34, p = 0.036). Post-op comprehension did not differ significantly between groups (OR = 0.58, p = 0.534); analysis was limited by missing surveys (N = 25).

Conclusions: Multimedia video consent improved caregiver satisfaction but did not significantly enhance comprehension. Caregiver education level remained the strongest predictor of understanding, supporting continued refinement of multimedia tools.