title: Evaluation of a practice information leaflet.
abstract: Over 10 months 5,000 practice information leaflets were distributed in a practice in Glasgow. The leaflet was principally evaluated by assessing patients' attitudes to and use of leaflets and changes in their knowledge about the practice. Changes in the pattern of consultation with the practice nurse and the timing of incoming telephone calls were also measured. Most patients read, kept and referred to the leaflet and reported it to be useful. Those who had seen the leaflet had significantly greater knowledge (mean knowledge score 7.5) on 15 questions on practice organization than two comparison groups: the base-line study sample (mean knowledge score 5.2) and those in the follow-up sample who had not seen the leaflet (mean knowledge score 5.7). Improvements in knowledge were statistically significant for 10 out of 15 questions. Two changes of behaviour were noted, increased self-referral to nurses (37% of new consultations at follow-up were self-referred compared with 29% at baseline: P = 0.05) and the timing of incoming telephone calls was more in line with practice policy (for example, 23% of calls for repeat prescriptions were made between 12.00 and 16.00 hours at follow-up compared with only 11% at baseline, P less than 0.001). The leaflet was judged to be useful.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bhopal
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Gilmour
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bhopal
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006123:Group Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012606:Scotland; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors