AI-Enhanced Consent for Cataract Surgery

This research focuses on enhancing the informed process for patients before undergoing cataract surgery. Currently, this process involves verbal discussions and written materials that may not fully address patients' understanding of the surgery, its risks, and benefits. This study aims to introduce an innovative approach using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate informative videos tailored to patients' needs, accounting for education level, ethnicity, and language barriers.

Why is this important? Informed consent is not just a legal requirement; but it's a fundamental patient right. Ensuring patients truly understand their treatment options leads to better satisfaction, both from the patient and clinician's perspective.

This study compares the effectiveness of AI-generated videos against traditional information delivery methods (information brochures). Patients scheduled for cataract surgery will experience either the new AI video approach or the standard process. The goal is to see if the videos lead to better understanding of the procedure and overall satisfaction. The investigators will be running the study in two parallel cohorts - with Cohort A involving an English speaking population, and Cohort B a Bengali speaking population with all patient facing materials translated into Bengali.

This research is crucial for patients seeking clarity about cataract surgery, for doctors aiming to improve patient care, and for researchers exploring patient education innovations. Funded by the Medical Protection Society (MPS), the investigators hope this intervention has broader effects such as reducing the number of complaints and litigations, improving the efficiency of consenting for surgery and delivering information, and improving theatre utilisation by reducing last minute cancellations.