Videos generated using artificial intelligence (AI) offer patients
a clearer picture of the surgical procedures they are undergoing,
helping to ease concerns and boost their confidence.
Issue 7 | December 2024
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Anxiety before surgery is a normal feeling for most patients. Often, this stress stems from uncertainty about the procedure itself. How risky is the operation? What should I expect in recovery? Will there be lasting effects?
Associate Professor Tiong Ho Yee, Senior Consultant with the Department of Urology, National University Hospital (NUH), led a team of medical students from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) to use commercially available artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software to produce patient information videos. These videos cover surgeries such as robotic partial nephrectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove part of a diseased kidney, and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, a surgery to remove a kidney for transplantation. This has helped boost confidence and reduce pre-surgery jitters among patients.
In a typical pre-surgery consultation, doctors explain the procedure, and patients are given booklets or leaflets for further reading. However, studies suggest that watching videos instead can improve patient comprehension and retention, making medical information more accessible and engaging.
Building on this insight, A/Prof Tiong’s team created short, AI-produced videos where a virtual doctor explains each surgical step, along with potential risks, benefits and post-operative care. Lasting just over three minutes, the videos provide an overview without being too overwhelming. Patients also receive a QR code to access these videos later at their convenience.
“In a pilot study, nearly 30 kidney patients have watched the two videos we have produced so far. In a survey, 80 per cent of respondents reported feeling more comfortable receiving medical information this way,” shares A/Prof Tiong.
Given the encouraging feedback, NUH is exploring ways to broaden the reach and functionality of these videos. A/Prof Tiong’s team is currently developing a Mandarin version of the robotic partial nephrectomy video and considering videos for other procedures, such as kidney stone removal and prostate cancer surgery.
To ensure safety and accuracy, the video on robotic partial nephrectomy was reviewed and verified by 15 local urology experts. Research further indicates that more than 70 per cent of urologists agree that AI-generated videos can provide patients with valuable information.
78-year-old NUH patient Mr Alvin Woo, who is diagnosed with early-stage kidney cancer, said the videos were a welcome addition to his pre-surgery preparations. “It provided a clear and vivid explanation of the surgery, which dissipated much of my anxiety,” shares Mr Woo. “During my regular follow-up visits, I had the opportunity to ask further questions to better understand my condition and the treatment process.”
The patient information videos are a valuable complement to in-person consultations, encouraging more insightful conversations between doctors and patients. “We see these videos as an additional resource, providing patients and their families with accessible information that can ease anxiety and build confidence in undergoing surgery,” says A/Prof Tiong.
While the videos are currently limited to the urology department, NUH may expand them to other departments if they continue to demonstrate value. “The production time and costs for AI videos are significantly lower than traditional methods. With technological advances, we expect the quality of these videos to improve continuously,” adds A/Prof Tiong.
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