Do undereducated patients read and understand written education materials? A pilot study in Isparta, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
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).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the undereducated patients will read and understand written education materials especially when the materials are written simple and short.
Savaş
S
S
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Süleyman Demirel University Medical School, Isparta, Turkey. savas@tr.net
Evcik
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004348:Drug Labeling; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal