Do undereducated patients read and understand written education materials?

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of written information in improving the knowledge of the undereducated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users about the side effects of NSAIDs and to investigate the compliance of patients with the written information materials. Methods: Thirty patients received only verbal information, 38 patients received only written, and 40 patients received both verbal and written information. After seven or ten days a questionnaire was administered to the patients on the phone to assess the patients' knowledge. Results: Sixty one (78.2%) patients read the leaflets. Higher number of correct answers was obtained with both verbal and written information. Written information better informed than verbal information alone (p=0.02). Conclusion: We conclude that the undereducated patients will read and understand written education materials especially when the materials are written simple and short.