Video-Assisted informed consent in endoscopic urology: a randomized trial on ureterorenoscopy.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of using the video - consent in the preoperative URS consent giving process. Prospective randomized trial took place at two Italian tertiary-care centers from March 2022 to September 2022. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (standard verbal/written informed consent) and Group B (informed consent supported by video). We investigated the impact of both types of the informed consent on the level of patients' anxiety assessed with the STAI questionnaire pre- and postoperatively. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of informed consents on the postoperative pain, measured with the VAS scale, and the number of assistances calls during hospitalization as secondary outcomes. To assess the satisfaction level related to the whole process, we asked patients to rate their experience on a scale of 1-10, with 1 indicating "not satisfied" and 10 indicating "completely satisfied." Overall, 166 patients were randomized 1:1 in each group. According to the multivariable regression model, the video-assisted informed consent significantly increased the difference between postoperative and preoperative STAI, reducing the level of anxiety. The video-assisted informed consent significantly predicted the number of assistance calls during the hospitalization. Video-consent for ureteroscopies are a valid tool to improve patients' satisfaction and awareness of the procedure. Video-consent is able to reduce patients' anxiety related to the procedure and assistance calls during the postoperative period, resulting in a useful tool to administer a better-informed consent for endourological procedures.