P079 Nurses educating patients about methotrexate: a video analysis study
Authors: Robinson Sandra , Adams Nicola , Scott Jason , Walker Claire , Hassell Andrew , Ryan Sarah , Walker David 
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims 

Education prior to starting therapeutic drugs is essential so that patients understand how to take them, what to expect in terms of effects and anticipated side effects, also for monitoring and supply requirements. The benefits of methotrexate can be delayed, tolerability problems are common, side effects can be severe and the drug is used in much bigger doses for cancer treatment which could complicate internet searches, therefore education is essential. Undertaking education is a fundamental role for Rheumatology nurses. We were interested to explore this interaction between nurse and patient using video recordings.

Methods 

Recordings were conducted of nurses educating patients prior to starting methotrexate, for the first time. The recordings were downloaded and reviewed minute by minute and were scored against items of the Calgary Cambridge (C-C) consultation model on a 4-point scale: 0= no evidence; 1= needs development; 2= competent; 3= excellent. Additionally, transcripts were typed and analysed thematically. Videos were further analysed quantitatively for each utterance and body movement using the Medical Interactive Process System (MIPS).

Results 

Ten recordings involving four nurses were made. The C-C assessment showed good structure, content and flow, driven by the use of an information leaflet. The nurses dominated the conversation speaking for between 69-86% of the time and involved the patient sparsely during the encounter, there was also little checking to ensure the patient understood the information being conveyed. Thematic analysis also showed that the nurse agenda dominated, and frequently brought the encounter back to the contents of the leaflet. Cues from the patients to discuss topics important to them, were often missed. Nurses recognised that they were often overloading the patient with information. The MIPS analysis showed that “giving information” dominated the nurse utterances and head nodding and assent by positive utterances dominated for the patient. Interestingly there was a lot more head nodding than positive utterances suggesting that head nodding was more about deference to the nurses perceived higher status rather than indicating understanding. Nurses in the higher scoring interviews on the C-C comparison made more illustrative gestures, asked more open questions with more checking and summarising and less interruptions. Patients in lower scoring interviews were more animated with gestures and head movements. They also checked information given and interrupted more.

Conclusion 

Nurses are doing many things well but consultations could be improved with training aimed at improving patient participation, awareness of cues, checking and summarising understanding. Also, interpretation of body language could be improved. Nodding does not necessarily indicate understanding and an animated patient who interrupts and checks is probably not having their perspective addressed.

Disclosure 

S. Robinson: None. N. Adams: None. J. Scott: None. C. Walker: None. A. Hassell: None. S. Ryan: None. D. Walker: None.