Development of an Internet-delivered educational video for acute whiplash injuries

• Main Authors: Majbritt Mostrup Pedersen, Per Fink, Helge Kasch, Lisbeth Frostholm
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019-04-01
• Series: Pilot and Feasibility Studies
• Subjects: Whiplash injuries; Patient education; Patient information; Illness beliefs; Illness perceptions
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40814-019-0445-2

Abstract Objective To describe the development of a preventive educational video for patients exposed to whiplash trauma following motor vehicle accidents. Methods The development followed a systematic approach and was theory-driven supplemented with available empirical knowledge. The specific content was developed by a multidisciplinary group involving health professionals and visual production specialists. Results A 14-min educational video was created. The video content focuses on stimulating adaptive recovery expectations and preventing maladaptive illness beliefs. The video presents a multifactorial model for pain incorporating physiological and cognitive-behavioural aspects, advice on pain relief, and exercises. Subjects interviewed for a qualitative evaluation found the video reassuring and that it aligned well with verbal information received in the hospital. Conclusions The development of the visual educational intervention benefitted from a systematic development approach entailing both theoretical and research-based knowledge. The sparse evidence on educational information for acute whiplash trauma posed a challenge for creating content. Further knowledge is required regarding what assists recovery in the early stages of whiplash injuries in order to improve the development of educational interventions.