A Comparison of Preoperative Telephone Call Versus Mailed Educational Materials on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND Preoperative education has uncertain benefits on the preparedness and satisfaction of patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the effect of a preoperative telephone call on preparedness and satisfaction in patients undergoing same-day office consultation and MMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS All new patients (N = 208) scheduled for same-day office consultation and MMS were mailed a standardized preoperative packet. Approximately half of those patients were randomly selected to also receive a preoperative phone call. On the day of the surgery, patients completed an anonymous preoperative and postoperative survey assessing their preparedness and satisfaction with the preoperative education received. RESULTS There was no significant difference in patient preparedness between the letter only (LO) and phone call and letter study groups. There was a significant difference in preoperative satisfaction—a higher percentage of LO patients were “somewhat satisfied” or “not satisfied” with the preoperative education received (p = .013). CONCLUSION Preoperative phone consultation, in addition to mailed educational materials, did not have a statistically significant effect on patient preparedness in patients undergoing MMS; however, there was a trend toward increased satisfaction with the preoperative education provided in patients who received a preoperative phone call.