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ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jul 26, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Video patient information can often be very educational, but researchers say stress is often more relieved by talking with a physician.
The researchers said they found showing patients an educational video about their condition teaches them the facts of their illness even better than when their physician explains their condition.
But the power of videotaped information has its limits. The study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found patient anxiety and stress are reduced much more during visits with their doctors than after viewing educational video information.
"The study confirmed the informational value of videotape-based educational materials," said Dr. Jeffrey Orringer, lead author of the research. "In fact, patients learned many more facts from the videotape -- which was created with information from physicians."
But while patients' anxiety and distress levels were reduced when they watched the educational videos, anxiety levels decreased by a much larger margin during clinic visits with their doctors.
"This tells us that the videotape is an excellent educational tool, but that it can't replace a positive patient-doctor relationship," Orringer said.
The study is detailed in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
