Development and Validation of an Information Leaflet on Oral Care for Irradiated Patients.

Helene Bacher,Bernd Leplow,Dirk Vordermark,Jeremias Hey,Ramona Schweyen

doi:10.2147/ppa.s256990

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study was to develop an optimally designed and comprehensibly formulated patient information leaflet (PIL) to improve patients’ memory of information provided by physicians during a radiotherapy (head and neck area) consultation. This PIL was tested on unaffected probands for its usefulness in clinical practice.Patients and MethodsA panel of experts compiled the main topics using Lawshe’s content validity ratio. Flesch’s Reading Ease Score (FRE) and the Baker Able Leaflet Design (BALD) index were adapted to appropriate values to determine text comprehensibility and graphic design. The evaluation involving unaffected participants (231 men, 380 women, 21 not specified; mean age = 32 ± 13.63 years, range = 18–79 years) was conducted based on three questionnaires for four groups of respondents with varying prior knowledge of the subject. When answering the questionnaires, only half the participants had access to the PIL.ResultsThe expert panel included 59 out of 75 proposed topics. After reformulations, the FRE was adjusted from 38.5 to 51.4. The BALD index ranged from 24 to 26, depending on the printout edition. The evaluation of 632 unaffected participants indicated a difference in the correctly answered items that ranged from 2.86% to 30.76% between participants with and without access to the PIL.ConclusionThe general guidelines for the design of written patient information material were met. The evaluation of unaffected volunteers resulted in an advantage by answering the questionnaires after receiving the PIL. This study supports health practitioners in the development, design, and evaluation of written information material using scientific methods. An evaluation should be performed on affected patients.

Highlights

The optimal design of patient information leaflet (PIL) is necessary to communicate pertinent information effectively.[10,11]. Because of these positive characteristics, PILs are created for many medical branches; they are often published without prior evaluation and vary significantly in quality.[12]
When topics were rated very relevant by panelists, they were formulated in more detail in the PIL and highlighted with the help of highcontrast text fields and associated graphic illustrations
PILs are created for many medical fields, they are often published without prior evaluation and vary considerably in quality

Summary

Introduction

Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Magdeburger Str. 16, Halle (Saale) 06112, Germany. Doctor-patient consultations are the basis for all therapeutic interventions.[1] The verbal communication of information to patients is of major importance because it is directly tailored to their current needs and gives them the opportunity to ask concrete questions.[2,3,4] Disadvantages, such as misunderstood information and resulting uncertainties, can arise from a lack of communication between doctors and patients.[5] there are misconceptions about the ability of patients to receive information from consultation with physicians, to understand technical terms, and to follow the information flow.[6,7] Studies show that the use of patient information leaflets (PILs) as a support in doctor-patient consultations leads to increased knowledge compared to doctor-patient consultations without leaflets.[8,9]

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Discussion

Conclusion