The immediate effect on knowledge, attitudes and intentions in primary care attenders of a patient information leaflet: a randomized control trial replication and extension.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the influence of a leaflet on mouth cancer improves knowledge, related attitudes and intention to accept a mouth screen.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Dental and medical waiting rooms in the North West of England.


METHODS
Nine hundred and forty nine patients from 16 practices were invited to participate.


METHODS
Standardized multi-item scales of six outcome measures including knowledge, beliefs and intention to accept an oral cancer screen.


METHODS
A patient information leaflet was given to a randomized intervention group of patients. A single sheet questionnaire was completed by both groups of patients (immediately following leaflet administration in the intervention arm of study).


METHODS
t tests were used to compare outcome variables between patients with and without access to the leaflet with Boneferroni correction.


RESULTS
Participation rate was high (91%). Knowledge (P <0.001) and intentions (P = 0.003) benefited from patient access to leaflet. Anxiety was not raised with leaflet exposure. Some beliefs about the screening procedure appeared to be slightly improved by reading the leaflet (p <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports previous findings of an immediate positive effect of an information leaflet on patients' knowledge of oral cancer and willingness to accept an oral cancer screen.
Humphris
G M
GM
Division of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Manchester, Rawnsley Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL. Gerry.Humphris@man.ac.uk
Field
E A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010174:Pamphlets; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012907:Smoking