Video-Assisted Consent Cuts Gastric Surgery Consultation Time, Study Finds
Face-to-face consultations for gastric cancer surgery shorten by roughly 40 percent when patients review standardized video aids beforehand, according to research published on September 27, 2026, in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
- Pre-consultation video aids cut face-to-face discussion times from 35.9 minutes down to 22.4 minutes.
- Patients watching videos beforehand reported zero instances of high post-consultation decisional conflict, compared to 20 percent in the standard group.
- Fujita Health University researchers evaluated a multimedia platform in cooperation with Contrea Inc. to support shared decision-making without replacing physician conversations.
Informed consent for a gastrectomy requires patients to absorb dense clinical details regarding surgical techniques, potential complications, reconstruction, and postoperative recovery. Conventional face-to-face explanations often overwhelm patients in a single sitting, placing a heavy time burden on both individuals and surgical teams. Decisional conflict—the uncertainty surrounding treatment choices—compounds this challenge.
To address this hurdle, a research team led by Senior Assistant Professor Kazumitsu Suzuki and Professor Susumu Shibasaki from the Department of Surgery at Fujita Health University evaluated multimedia aids in cooperation with Contrea Inc. The investigation randomized 60 patients scheduled for gastrectomy into two distinct cohorts.
One group watched video informed consent modules prior to their face-to-face appointment, while the control group received the standard face-to-face explanation first and watched the videos afterward.
The web-based platform delivered content in short segments totaling about 30 minutes utilizing animations, subtitles, and illustrations. Surgeons selected specific modules tailored to each patient’s planned operation. Face-to-face discussions averaged 22.4 minutes in the pre-video group versus 35.9 minutes in the standard group.
Decisional conflict scores trended lower in the pre-consultation video group at a mean of 13.5, compared to 20.5 in the control group, yielding a P-value of 0.056. While scores decreased across both cohorts following physician interaction, no patients in the pre-consultation video group experienced high decisional conflict afterward, contrasting with 20 percent of the standard group.
“We wanted patients to understand the surgery at their own pace so the consultation could focus more on their questions and concerns, supporting shared decision-making.” Dr. Kazumitsu Suzuki, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Fujita Health University
The study authors emphasize that multimedia tools cannot replace direct conversations with clinicians. Future investigations will require larger-scale trials to validate these findings and determine whether digital tools, including artificial intelligence, can further personalize pre-visit education.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.