Can YouTube Give Effective Information about Braces
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Randomised Control Trial to Assess the Effectiveness of a YouTube™ Video on Improving Patient Knowledge about Orthodontic Consent
IRAS ID
147309
Contact name
Daljit Gill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Research summary
Improving patient knowledge has become an area of major focus during all forms of treatment, including orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances (also termed braces or “train tracks”) is a commonly performed procedure to help improve the appearance and function of teeth. Ensuring that patients understand their treatment options, risks and benefits of treatment is a fundamental part of informed consent. The premise of improving patient compliance through improvement in knowledge is also a driving force behind research that has been conducted in this field. The fact that orthodontists aim to effectively communicate with their patients in the hope of improving patient knowledge is not something new. However, as advancements in communication technology are made, new methods that can be used to communicate with patients become available to orthodontists.
This study will be a prospective randomized controlled trial in which eligible patients who have just been fitted with fixed braces will be randomly allocated into either an “intervention” or control group. Patients in the “intervention” group will be provided with routine verbal and written information (leaflets developed by the British Orthodontic Society) and in addition they will be sent 3 e-mails over a period of 6 weeks, at fixed bi-weekly intervals. The e-mails will request that they view a YouTubeTM video containing information relevant to the consenting process. Patients in the control group will receive identical verbal and written information but no e-mails directing them to the YouTubeTM video. All patients will be asked to answer a questionnaire on the day fixed braces are fitted(baseline data) and another questionnaire, asking the same questions, at their next routine appointment.
The YouTubeTM video will be classified as “unlisted” on the UCLH Trust YouTube site and will only be accessed through a link which is e-mailed to patients in the intervention group. It is therefore unlikely that the control group will be able to access the video by chance.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
14/ES/1037
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion