Information leaflets: are they effective?

S Mathers*+, R Chesson+

*NHS Grampian +The Health Services Research Group.

Examinations were described

‘...invasive in nature, routine to hospital staff but unique and strange to patients.’

Wilson-Barnett, 1985.

‘...high-tech imaging in a low touch world...’

Murphy, 1999

Main aims

• establish participants level of knowledge of CT scanning prior to scan

• determine how patients use the information provided

• Participants– 150 non-emergency first-time attenders for CT

scanning referred by hospital consultants

• Ethical approval was gained

Methodology

Phase 1:

-postal questionnaire sent prior to receiving appointment and information material

Phase 2:

- telephone interview prior to attending but after receipt of the information material

To assess patients knowledge of CT scanning

12 basic questionse.g.

1. A CT scan is a specialised x-ray examination where pictures are taken of the inside of

your body.

2. You will be asked to lie still.

3. You will be asked to hold your breath.

Options: True, False, Don’t know.

Results

• 77% response rate (n=115)

• Mean age 55.7years (range 19-86 years)

• 35 men and 47 women

Results

• 30% correctly identified they were to have a CT scan

• Use of information– 50% read it on arrival– 40% read it more than once– 67% showed it to someone else– 3 did not read it at all

Knowledge of CT scanning

• Prior to receiving leaflet 5.58 (range 0-12)

• Post receipt of leaflet 9.1 (range 4-12)

Conclusions

• Information leaflets are effective in increasing patients knowledge of CT scanning

• Patients do use the information material they are given

Acknowledgements

Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust Endowment Fund,

2002-2003