Educational methods have improved bowel prep compliance

(HealthDay)—Recently developed educational methods have improved patient compliance with bowel preparation for colonoscopy, according to a review published online Jan. 5 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.

Noting that the diagnostic efficiency of colonoscopy is dependent on the quality of bowel preparation, which is closely linked to patient compliance with preparation instructions, Zhu Liu, from Shandong University in Jinan, China, and colleagues examined development of educational methods to improve compliance.

The researchers note that in recent years many educational methods have been developed for improving patient compliance to preparation instructions. These include educational booklets, cartoon visual aids, educational videos, the short message service, the telephone, social media applications, and smart phone applications.

"These educational methods have significantly improved the compliance with the instructions for bowel preparation and ultimately promoted the visualization of colon in patients undergoing colonoscopy," the authors write.