Picturing better outcomes: Illustrated educational booklets improve patient-reported outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization in abdominal transplantation

BACKGROUND Patient education remains an underdeveloped component of care in abdominal transplantation. Despite the benefits of improved health literacy, most educational materials remain inaccessible to the average patient. AIM To evaluate the impact of educational booklets on comprehension, anxiety, satisfaction, and healthcare utilization among abdominal transplant recipients and donors. METHODS An observational, single-center quality improvement study was conducted in transplant recipients and living donors. Patients received booklets during transplant evaluation, preoperative clinic, or hospital admission. Booklets were developed by transplant surgeons and revised with health literacy experts. Postoperative surveys assessed comprehension, satisfaction, anxiety, and feedback. Patient-reported demographic data and post-operative outcomes were collected from the electronic medical record were analyzed. RESULTS Eighty-three patients completed the survey, of which nine were excluded for duplicate entries. Satisfaction with content was high, with 81% reporting reduced feelings of overwhelm and 74% reporting less fear of surgery. The average recommendation rating was 9.4/10, with frequent praise for illustrations, glossary, and surgical explanations. Postoperative outcomes improved following booklet implementation, with reductions in readmission rates, emergency department visits, and coordinator calls. Compared with historical data, readmissions decreased significantly (12.2% vs 22.1%; P = 0.049). CONCLUSION Illustrated educational booklets significantly improved patient comprehension, anxiety, and satisfaction, and reduced unplanned care use. Integrating tailored education into routine transplant care enhances patient experiences and outcomes.