Usefulness of patient-specific 3D models during clinical consultations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the usefulness of 3D patient-specific models to aid in the communication between parents and clinicians
IRAS ID
135322
Contact name
Andrew M Taylor
Contact email
Research summary
In the context of the process of clinical consultations, it is crucial to guarantee excellent communication between a child’s parents and the clinician, to ensure full comprehension of what a procedure/operation may entail and what risks could be involved.
The manufacturing technique known as ‘rapid prototyping’ allows for printing three-dimensional (3D) anatomical models, including detailed and realistic 3D models of the heart and main blood vessels. Because of their visual and tactile nature, such 3D models can be used by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons during clinical consultations in cases of congenital heart disease, to better understand the child’s anatomy as well as the procedure/surgery and the risks involved. We believe that this visual and tactile aid, and its patient-specific characteristics, could help in improving communication between the clinician and parents/guardians of the patient and therefore their understanding of the procedure and the risks involved. Furthermore, these models could represent an improvement with respect to the current use of drawings or simplified models, as an additional method of communication.
This study aims to assess qualitatively and quantitatively the usefulness of 3D patient-specific cardiac models. A brief questionnaire will be administered before and after the consultation to the parents/guardians of the patient, in order to assess their understanding of the procedural/surgical risks and the clarity of the explanation that was just given during the appointment. Patients will be randomised into two groups, one of which will be shown a 3D patient-specific model during their appointment whilst the other will receive usual care. A second, shorter questionnaire will be completed by clinicians themselves, in order to evaluate if the 3D models were helpful from their perspective, and if they would be willing to employ them in future.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1569
Date of REC Opinion
8 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion