A survey of parent's attitudes towards viewing intraoperative photographs used as an educational tool.

Objectives: To assess the usefulness of intraoperative photographs taken during paediatric upper airway endoscopy used as an educational tool for parents and to define their attitudes towards seeing these photographs.
Design and Setting: Questionnaire based survey of 50 parents at a tertiary referral centre for paediatric otolaryngology in North West England.
Results: The response rate was 82%. All parents wanted to see the intraoperative images and reported improved understanding of their child's condition. No parents reported lasting anxiety. 79.2% of parents seeing photographs for the first time found the images to be informative; 82.4% of parents reported reassurance from being able to see progress in treatment; 17.6% found it easier to accept further intervention from seeing the photographs.
Conclusion: Intraoperative photographs are useful as an educational tool for parents; they provide reassurance and help parents accept clinical management.