Authors: (including presenting author): :
Lau FW(1), Mok SH(1)
Affiliation: :
(1)Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Low anterior resection syndrome
Keyword 2: :
Video-assisted education
Introduction: :
Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common and distressing postoperative complication among rectal cancer survivors, affecting up to half of patients following low anterior resection. Symptoms such as fecal urgency, incontinence, and bowel clustering can significantly impair quality of life. Conventional education using printed materials may have limitations in addressing the complex nature of LARS self-management, particularly among elderly or low-literacy patients. Video-assisted education has been proposed as a more engaging and effective tool for improving patient understanding and confidence in symptom management.
Objectives: :
To evaluate the effectiveness of a video-assisted educational program in enhancing patients’ health literacy regarding LARS management compared with conventional practice.
Methodology: :
A pre-test and post-test experimental design was conducted in two public hospitals in Hong Kong: Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH). Patients who had history of low anterior resection and undergone the elective stoma closure during April to July 2025 were recruited. The intervention group at QEH received both the 8-minute educational video and standard printed materials, while the control group at KWH received printed materials only. A structured 10-item questionnaire was completed upon discharge and repeated one month later to assess the changes in knowledge. Patient satisfaction with educational intervention was measured by using a 5-point Likert scale survey.
Result & Outcome: :
The intervention group demonstrated improvement in the post-test knowledge scores compared with their baseline, from an average of 3.5 (pre-test) to 9.75 (post-test), whereas those receiving conventional practice showed a decline, from an average of 7.5 (pre-test) to 4 (post-test). The video-assisted group also reported higher satisfaction levels, with most participants expressing that the video enhanced their understanding and confidence in managing LARS, with a mean score: 4 out of 5. Participants particularly noted that the explanations and demonstrations of pelvic floor muscle exercise techniques were clearer and more precise than those in printed materials. These findings imply that visual and interactive educational tools can effectively bridge knowledge gaps, which patients can apply these in their daily life. Despite limitations such as the small sample size and short follow-up period, the project provides valuable insights for scaling up video-assisted education as part of routine clinical practice.
