title: Patient comprehension of gastroenterology (GI) educational materials.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe patient comprehension of discharge instruction materials used by one gastroenterology department. Two conceptual frameworks, Orem's self-care model of nursing and Klare's reading comprehension model, were used to guide research design and to explain study findings. A descriptive correlational design was used to explore the relationship between years of schooling, word recognition, and reading comprehension. The study participants (n = 30) included 10 male and 20 female patients. Mean years of schooling was post-high school; mean word recognition score was high school level. Findings included moderate correlation between years of schooling and word recognition scores (r = .64) and strong correlation between word recognition and reading comprehension scores (r = .77-.82). Reading comprehension scores for the majority of participants (60%) were at the frustration comprehension level. Findings suggest that word recognition ability and educational level may be insufficient to ensure comprehension.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Watkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011932:Reading; D013664:Teaching Materials