Master Research Project

Committee

Jodie Jenkinson BA, MScBMC, PhD (BMC|University of Toronto)
Dr. Andrew Matthew PhD, C.Psych (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre|Movember Foundation)

Purpose

To create a 3D animation that will educate prostate cancer patients, whom have undergone prostate cancer treatment and experience erectile dysfunction (ED), in intracavernosal injections (ICI), an effective but poorly received alternative ED treatment. In addressing a senstive topic using linear storytelling, I hope to evaluate the effectiveness of animation in patient education on stimgatized subjects in comparion to the current standard of care.

Research Abstract

Background

Approximately 24,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC) in 2015, and for those that are treated, they will most likely experience erectile dysfunction. Intracavernosal injections are an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction with a high success rate; however, the treatment is poorly received by patients. Visual resources for patient education can be an effective solution for educating patients in self-injections and the mechanism of the medication and addressing the stigma and misconceptions about penile injections. Past studies have demonstrated that multimedia educational tools such as animated narrations have not only improved patient comprehension about prostate cancer, but have also helped to empower men to actively participate in their healthcare and treatment discussions.

Project Description

In this study, we are comparing an ICI patient education animation to the current standard of care, which is a pamphlet outlining the treatment in text with limited illustrations. The study will exam patients’ confidence in using penile injections and overall willingness to chose and continue treatment before and after the use of a visual patient educational tool.

Relevance

While intracavernosal injections have a high success rate, there are communication and emotional barriers that prevent patients from actively choosing to use the treatment. Patients that have a better understanding of their treatment will have a greater sense of confidence, allowing them to be successful in intracavernosal treatment. The current standard of patient education in ICI at Princess Margret Cancer Centre includes consultation with a physician and a take-home instructional pamphlet. With the rapid advancement of technologies, studies have shown the effectiveness of animation in educating patients and other lay audiences complex scientific concepts.

Process Work Coming Soon

Awards and Recognition

Vesalius Trust Scholar 2016