The medical pamphlet and pamphleteering in Canada.
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Canada↗
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[The Geneva Cantonal Hospital reception pamphlet. Reception pamphlet for new personnel].
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Nursing↗
[Pharmaceutical informations. 3. Drug information (supplementary pamphlet-scientific pamphlet)].
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Advertising↗
Patient preferences regarding educational pamphlets in the family practice center.
Educational pamphlets are widely used in family practice offices despite few studies on patient attitudes toward this educational technique. The purpose of this study was to: 1) determine how frequently patients perceive that pamphlets are used and how often they are desired; 2) determine what is usually done with pamphlets; and 3) determine patient preferences regarding requesting pamphlets, location of unsolicited pamphlets, techniques of getting pamphlets, and style of pamphlets. In this survey of 360 patients, 90% reported wanting a pamphlet at some or all of their office visits. Overall, 67% reported reading or looking through and saving pamphlets received, 30% read or looked through them and then threw them away, and only 2% threw them away without review. Only 11% of males and 26% of females reported ever asking a doctor for pamphlets. Some conclusions are that: 1) more patients desire pamphlets than are receiving them; 2) most patients do save pamphlets; and 3) patients need encouragement and permission to ask for pamphlets.
Adolescent↗
Parent comprehension of polio vaccine information pamphlets.
BACKGROUND: Medical information pamphlets often are written using language that requires a reading level higher than parents of many pediatric patients have achieved. Anecdotal reports suggest that many parents may not readily understand the federally mandated Public Health Service vaccine information pamphlets prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1991. The level at which the pamphlets need to be written for low-reading-level parents is undetermined, as is whether parents reading at higher levels will accept low-reading-level materials. METHODS: To determine whether a simple pamphlet prepared at a low reading level using qualitative and adult education techniques would be preferable to the available CDC polio vaccine information pamphlet, we conducted an integrated qualitative-quantitative study. We compared the parent reading time and comprehension of a simplified pamphlet (Louisiana State University, LSU) comprising 4 pages, 322 words, 7 instructional graphics, and a text requiring a 6th grade reading ability with the equivalent 1991 CDC vaccine information pamphlet comprising 16 pages, 18,177 words, no graphics, and a text requiring a 10th grade reading level. We measured the reading ability of 522 parents of pediatric patients from northwest Louisiana seen at public clinics (81%) and in a private office (19%). Of the entire group, 39% were white, 60% African-American, and 1% Hispanic; the mean age was 29 years; the mean highest grade completed was 12th grade 3 months; and the reading level was less than 9th grade in 47% of parents and less than 7th grade in 20%. After parents were given one of the pamphlets to read, their reading time, comprehension, and attitude toward the pamphlet were measured. RESULTS: Mean comprehension was 15% lower for CDC than for LSU (56% vs 72% correct; P < .001) and reading time was three times longer for CDC than for LSU (13 minutes 47 seconds vs 4 minutes 20 seconds; P < .0001). These trends were significant for parents reading at all but the lowest levels. Mean comprehension and reading time did not differ among parents reading at the third grade level or less. However, mean comprehension was greater and reading time lower for LSU among parents at all reading abilities greater than the third grade. Parents in the private practice setting took the longest time to read the CDC (20 minutes 59 seconds vs 5 minutes 46 seconds, LSU), yet their comprehension on the LSU was significantly higher than on the CDC (94% vs 71%; P < .0001). Two focus groups of high-income parents were unanimous in preferring the LSU. CONCLUSIONS: A short, simply written pamphlet with instructional graphics was preferred by high- and low-income parents seen in private and public clinics. The sixth grade reading level appears to be too high for many parents in public clinics; new materials aimed at third to fourth grade levels may be required. The new 1994 CDC immunization materials, written at the eighth grade level, may still be inappropriately high. The American medical community should adopt available techniques for the development of more effective patient-parent education materials.
Adolescent↗
Effects of vaccine information pamphlets on parents' attitudes.
OBJECTIVES: To describe how parents actually use federally mandated vaccine information pamphlets and to evaluate the pamphlets' effects on parents' opinions about vaccination. DESIGN: A controlled trial of vaccine information pamphlets based on a survey mailed to parents who either received (n = 140) or did not receive (n = 167) the pamphlets. STUDY POPULATION: Parents of infants aged 2 to 8 months in a suburban, mainly upper-middle class private group practice in northern California. RESULTS: More than 90% of parents believed that they had enough information to decide whether their child should be vaccinated, even among those who did not receive the pamphlets. Among parents who received the pamphlets, fewer than half (38%) read them thoroughly, and most (63%) said that they should be distributed only on the first visit for vaccinations. Parents who received the pamphlets did not differ from those who did not in terms of the proportions who would have liked more time to be spent discussing vaccines (34% vs 34%) or who were anxious about how the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine would affect their child (60% vs 52%). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine information pamphlets, when used as an adjunct to discussions with physicians and nurses, have little effect on the opinions of well-educated parents. Future research and policy changes might focus on how to make the contents of the pamphlets less frightening and on allowing greater flexibility in how they are distributed.
Adult↗
Evaluation of the readability of ACOG patient education pamphlets. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ACOG's patient education pamphlets comply with the recommended readability level for health education materials intended for the general public. METHODS: All 100 English-language pamphlets available during 1997 (created or revised between 1988 and 1997) were evaluated using four standard readability formulas. RESULTS: Mean readability levels of ACOG's pamphlets were between grade 7.0 to grade 9.3, depending on the formula used. Analysis of readability over the 10 years showed a trend toward lower readability levels. Analysis by category of pamphlet found that the lowest readability levels were in "Especially for teens" pamphlets. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that most of ACOG's patient education pamphlets currently available are written at a higher readability level than recommended for the general public. The readability of those pamphlets improved in the 10 years since the organization published its first pamphlet, but the goal of sixth-grade readability level has not been reached.
Adolescent↗
Preventive health pamphlets in the emergency department.
We conducted a prospective clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of an emergency department informational pamphlet in improving patients' compliance with recommendations that they receive Pap smears, mammograms, and a pneumococcal vaccination. Informational pamphlets were distributed to 1,000 consecutive patients who presented to a university-affiliated emergency department (ED). The pamphlet contained information stating the indications for obtaining routine Pap smears, mammograms, and a pneumococcal vaccination. Target individuals were women 18 years and older and men 65 years and older. Target patients were called approximately 2 months after their ED visits to obtain follow-up data. There were 464 target patients obtained from the 1,000 pamphlets distributed (409 female/55 male), and 68% (316) of the 464 were contacted by telephone for follow-up data. Significantly more women than men had read the pamphlet (62% vs. 8%). Of the women contacted (279), 31.9% (89) were not up to date (UTD) with Pap smears, and 11.2% (10) stated that they had scheduled an appointment for a Pap smear; 14.5% (11) of the women were not UTD with mammograms, and none had scheduled an appointment to receive care. Of the patients over age 65, 67% were not UTD with a pneumococcal vaccination, and no appointments were scheduled to obtain one. We conclude that a significant number of patients who present to this ED are in need of preventive health care. Emergency department informational pamphlets may have a role in improving Pap smear compliance. Women may be more likely then men to read informational pamphlets distributed in the ED.
Adult↗
Mixed messages: presentation of information in cystic fibrosis-screening pamphlets.
Written pamphlets are an important source of information for individuals deciding whether to undergo carrier testing for cystic fibrosis (CF). Adequate understanding of the condition and reproductive options following the diagnosis of a fetus with CF are critical to informed decision making. The information given about CF and reproductive options in 28 pamphlets about carrier testing, from commercial and noncommercial organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom, aimed at prenatal and other populations, was assessed. The amount of information provided about CF showed a range of 1-37 sentences (median 6.5), with most being relatively neutral and with a minority conveying a positive or a negative image. Positive sentences were less common in British, U.S. commercial, and prenatal pamphlets. Statements about life expectancy also varied considerably, both in the ages provided and in the degree of optimism conveyed. In addition, the pamphlets varied in the amount of information they provided about reproductive options following the diagnosis of a fetus with CF. Abortion was mentioned in just 15 pamphlets, more often in the United Kingdom than in the United States and more frequently in pamphlets from noncommercial than in those from commercial organizations. Wide variation in the descriptions of CF and the reproductive options presented raises concerns about the extent to which any one pamphlet may present balanced information. The choices about what information to include in educational materials need to be explicitly considered on the basis of the message intended to be sent.
Cystic Fibrosis↗
A controlled trial of an educational pamphlet to prevent disability after occupational low back injury.
STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To test the ability of an educational pamphlet to improve recovery in terms of pain, work status, and health care utilization after occupational low back injury. BACKGROUND: Low back pain and disability persist as occupational health problems of epidemic proportions. Because interventions based on biomechanical models have had limited impact, recent educational approaches to preventing back problems have stressed psychosocial recovery issues. METHODS: A pamphlet was developed by compiling activity resumption, self-care, and attitudinal advice from recent publications. The pamphlet was sent at random to half of all consenting workers reporting back pain within 11 days of occupational injury between 7/96 and 6/97. Three and 6 months later, back pain, work status, health care use, and pamphlet impact outcomes were assessed through structured telephone interviews. RESULTS: Of the 726 eligible workers, 486 consented to participate. Consenters and nonconsenters and intervention and control groups were similar in initial demographic variables. The pamphlet had no statistically significant impact at the 0.05 significance level on pain severity or reduction, health care visits, or work absence. Of the 229 pamphlet recipients, 129 thought it had provided useful information, but only 25 thought it had helped them return to work more quickly. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, a pamphlet stressing psychosocial recovery issues did not prevent or reduce postinjury pain, health care use, or work absence.
Adult↗
Parents' responses to vaccine information pamphlets.
OBJECTIVE: To assess parents' knowledge and opinions about immunizations and immunization practices before and after introduction of vaccine information pamphlets. RESEARCH DESIGN: Telephone questionnaire administered to parents whose children received immunizations in the preceding week. SETTING: Six private pediatric practices in Nashville area and resident continuity clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS: Parents whose children were scheduled to receive immunizations were asked to participate. Interviews were completed with 177 parents whose children received immunizations before and 156 parents after pamphlets were introduced. These two groups of parents had similar demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Parents who received vaccine information pamphlets learned more about vaccines (2.38 facts/parent after vs 1.18/parent before vaccine information pamphlets, z = -6.28, P < .0001) and were more eager to obtain immunizations for their children (76% vs 38%, chi 2 = 47.24, P < .001). Receipt of pamphlets did not make parents significantly more likely to report side effects from vaccines (63% after vs 55% before, NS) but tended to make them less likely to turn to non health care providers for information (58% after vs 69% before, chi 2 = 3.73, P = .06). Parents who received pamphlets, however, said more often that they received too much information (20% vs 4%, chi 2 = 14.9, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine information pamphlets enhanced parents' knowledge and acceptance of immunizations. There is room for further improvement.
Child↗
Inquiry into the potential value of an information pamphlet on consent to surgery to improve surgeon-patient communication.
OBJECTIVES: To find out how patients recently undergoing surgery experienced the consenting process and the response of these patients to a pamphlet on consent to surgery. To test the reaction of health professionals to the pamphlet. DESIGN: A pilot pamphlet was produced and a questionnaire was sent to patients inquiring about their consenting experience, and how the pamphlet might have helped them through the consent procedure. A pamphlet and a questionnaire were also sent to a random sample of the health professionals serving these patients. SUBJECTS: Patients and health professionals. RESULTS: 61% of patients returned the questionnaire. Knowledge about the consent procedure was shown to be limited. 49% were unaware that they had the right to insist that the surgeon could only perform the specified operation and nothing more. 83% were unaware that they could add something in writing to the consent form before signing. 28% of health professionals returned their questionnaire, most of whom thought that the pamphlet provided a useful contribution to surgeon-patient communication. CONCLUSION: Evidence shows that patients are not well informed about consenting to surgery and further information would provide much needed guidance on understanding their role in the consent procedure. The low response from the health professional study is perhaps an indication that at present this is an issue which is not seen as a priority.
Comprehension↗
[Pharmacies' information pamphlets--what use are they to the patients?].
Information pamphlets about certain drugs on prescription have been distributed to patients by Norwegian pharmacies since 1985. A questionnaire distributed to 500 patients, answered by 48.2%, showed that most patients liked to receive the pamphlets and 85.5% found them useful. However, it was difficult to evaluate the influence of the pamphlets on the patients compliance with instructions on how to use the drug. Many patients found the pamphlets difficult to understand. Most problems were connected with interactions with other drugs etc. Only 8.3% of the patients thought that other drugs might interact with the drug prescribed. The pamphlets were only one of several sources of information to the patients. The study showed that physicians informed the patients more about the effects (67.2%) than about the side-effects (49.4%) of drugs. Only 47.7% of the patients had received the pamphlets earlier. However, this percentage varied for the three participating pharmacies, being 20.2, 62.2 and 78.0% respectively.
Drug Information Services↗
Health education pamphlets about smoking--their benefit to smokers and non-smokers.
The aim of this present study was to compare the use by smokers and non-smokers of pamphlets about smoking as delivered from different settings. The study was a nation-wide cross-sectional survey of 1924 randomly selected, Danish men and women, aged 14-77 y, who had answered a mailed questionnaire in 1994. Of these 71% also participated in a telephone interview enquiring about the use of health education material, smoking status and socio-demographic variables, 39% of readers of household-delivered anti-smoking pamphlets reported having gained information from them and 22% reported having made changes in their own smoking behaviour such as avoiding smoking in the presence of non-smokers. In general practice settings, these percentages were higher among smokers. Smokers who were thinking of stopping smoking in the near future were in addition more likely to take and to read smoking related health education materials from other places. Non-smokers received (3 49%) and read pamphlets about smoking as frequently as did smokers who did not intend to quit. In conclusion, written health education material was well received by readers, but, when distributed in a more open setting it needs to be targeted towards smokers who are considering stopping smoking. In general practice, smokers not thinking of stopping were open to health education, and pamphlets used in this setting should also target this group. Non-smokers contribute indirectly to smokers quitting by providing support to smokers and pamphlets for non-smokers need to be more targeted towards this social role.
Adolescent↗
The impact of distribution of a patient-education pamphlet in a multidisciplinary breast clinic.
STUDY GOAL: To determine the impact of the distribution of patient-education pamphlets to women with benign breast conditions in a large urban multidisciplinary breast clinic. METHODS: It is clinic policy to administer such materials at the first patient visit for these conditions. A standardized telephone interview was conducted with a random sample of 50 such patients at a mean of five months after that visit (range 1-12 months). RESULTS: While only 29 of the 50 women interviewed reported receiving such materials, 27 of these 29 women reported reading them. The patient's level of education and whether the patient had friends/relatives with breast cancer were not different between the women who had read the pamphlets and the women who had not (p = NS). The women who had received and read the material scored significantly better than did women who had not on a brief breast cancer screening questionnaire (p = 0.027). Of the former, all but three found the information of use; three-fourths of such women rated the materials 8 or higher on an increasing-usefulness scale of 1-10. The most frequently reported benefit gained from the materials was the proper conduct of breast self-examination. Overall patient satisfaction with the pamphlets was 91%. Half of the women receiving such materials shared them with other women. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-education pamphlets distributed at a multidisciplinary breast clinic result in high patient satisfaction and better patient knowledge of breast health. However, these materials were received and read by patients less often than was expected by staff. Because 82% of all women interviewed reported that the clinic staff, the distributed pamphlets, and other reading materials were their best sources of information, it is further concluded that the distribution of such materials is an important function of a multidisciplinary breast clinic.
Adult↗
Evaluation of a pamphlet on visceral leishmaniasis as a tool for providing disease information to healthcare professionals and laypersons.
Although educational materials are frequently produced and used as part of control programs in Brazil, little is known about the efficacy of this type of information. This study evaluated the potential for disseminating information on visceral leishmaniasis using a pamphlet. The sample consisted of 551 healthcare workers and 379 laypeople from a metropolitan area located in southeast Brazil. Both before and after reading the pamphlet, subjects completed a multiple-choice questionnaire. Overall baseline knowledge of the disease was estimated by the proportion of correct answers before reading the pamphlet. Although specific knowledge among zoonosis control workers was higher (90.0% on average), overall baseline knowledge of the disease varied from 45.0% to 77.0%. After reading the pamphlet, the levels increased to 71.0% and 96.0%, respectively. Before reading, the lowest proportion of correct answers in all groups related to the disease symptoms. Analysis of incorrect answers showed that visceral leishmaniasis is mainly confused with leptospirosis. The increased proportion of correct answers after reading the pamphlet is evidence of its potential as an educational tool.
Brazil↗
[Communicating with patients: how good are our pamphlets and other written materials? An evaluation of the quality of the written information available to patients with asthma and diabetes in out-patients' clinics in Milan].
OBJECTIVES: 1) To identify the extent and the nature of information pamphlets available for asthmatic and diabetic patients in secondary care hospitals in Milan; 2) To investigate what patients think about the quality of pamphlets using a questionnaire developed ad hoc. METHODS: Pamphlets have been identified by contacting 8 specialised ambulatory hospitals. The questionnaire was developed to achieve a quality rate in 3 dimensions of the materials (Style and readability, The condition and Treatment options). Patients were recluted in the same ambulatory hospital. RESULTS: 4 ambulatory hospitals and 40 patients agreed to participate in our survey. We identified 8 pamphlets (5 diabetes, 3 asthma). 6 of these have been promoted byfarmaceutical companies. The mean length was 31 pages and the issue most covered was treatment options (33% of pages dedicated). 30 pages (12% of the total) presented with publicity advertisements (6% direct and 6% indirect). The dimension with the best satisfaction rate was Condition, followed by Style and readability. CONCLUSIONS: In Milan, in secondary care asthmatic and diabetic patients, are often invited to consult pamphlets. They positively judged this material. During the study ambulatory physicians were poorly attentive about problems concerning patient access to information.
Ambulatory Care↗
Effect of an educational pamphlet on help-seeking attitudes for depression among British South Asian women.
South Asian women suffer disproportionately high rates of suicide and attempted suicide. Yet few intervention studies on this group have been done. A total of 180 British South Asian women were sampled to pilot test an educational pamphlet about depression and suicidality. After reading the pamphlet, significantly more women assessed themselves as willing to confide in their clinicians, friends, and spouses if they felt depressed or suicidal, rather than not telling anyone. Also, more women reported that they felt that antidepressants were helpful for depression after they read the pamphlet. These changes remained four to six weeks later. The pamphlet was feasible for use in primary care and community settings and highly acceptable among British South Asian women and professionals.
Adult↗