Effectiveness of multimedia interventions in the provision of patient education on anticoagulation therapy: A review

Objective: A literature review was conducted to identify available evidence on the use of multimedia patient educational interventions on anticoagulation therapy.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on 9/4/2020 via six research databases. Publications that evaluated the effects of these interventions on anticoagulation therapy were included.

Results: The review included ten original research studies (five randomized controlled trials, four observational studies and a pre- and post-interventional study), a systematic review and meta-analysis, three systematic reviews, a scoping review, and a literature review. Multimedia interventions significantly improved knowledge after education, but no significant differences found when compared to traditional methods. There was insufficient evidence to conclude whether knowledge retained over time. Patients were equally satisfied with both methods. Multimedia interventions significantly reduced healthcare professional's time required for education. Heterogeneity in intervention, methodology and results limited comparison and combination of findings across studies.

Conclusion: Multimedia patient educational interventions on anticoagulation therapy have similar outcomes to traditional methods in knowledge improvement and satisfaction, but they save health personnel time.

Practice implications: There is lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of multimedia interventions in educating patients on anticoagulation therapy. Larger randomized studies evaluating their benefits in health outcomes and clinical practice are warranted.