The effect of a brief education program on glaucoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess our patients' knowledge of glaucoma and to measure the effect of a brief education program on their understanding of glaucoma.


METHODS
Patients attending glaucoma clinics at a university and a Veterans' Affairs hospital were randomized into two groups: "exposed" and "unexposed" to a simple education program of a video and brochures. Glaucoma knowledge was assessed twice by an oral questionnaire, at 2 weeks and 6 months after randomization plus or minus education.


RESULTS
Younger patients and those with more years of formal schooling knew more about glaucoma. Two weeks after the education program, the exposed group performed significantly better than did the unexposed group. Analysis of the results showed benefit from both brochures and video. This effect of education was not seen at retesting 6 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Older patients and those with less formal education know less about glaucoma. A brief, simple education program can significantly improve levels of knowledge about glaucoma, even in a relatively well-informed population. However, patient education must be repeated to maintain a useful effect.
Kim
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-6485, USA.
Stewart
J F
JF
Emond
M J
MJ
Reynolds
A C
AC
Leen
M M
MM
Mills
R P
RP
D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards