Video-based decision aids helped reduce rates of elective surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia patients and rates of active treatment for localized prostate cancer patients, according to a report published in the American Journal of Managed Care.
The observational study included more than 4,000 patients. The video-based decision aids were given to patients, who could watch the videos alone or with their families.
The study found that for patient with medically treated BPH — those who were already receiving prescription medications — the rate of surgical intervention for BPH declined by 32 percent; but for those with untreated BPH, the rate didn't drop significantly. For patients with localized prostate cancer, rates of active treatment decreased by 27 percent.
