title: Written orthopedic patient education materials from the point of view of empowerment by education.
abstract: Written patient education materials are one way of supporting patient empowerment. The aim of this study was to evaluate written orthopedic patient education materials (n = 25) drawn from a university hospital's electronic databank. In the absence of suitable tools for evaluation, an analytic framework was developed by a panel of nursing scientists and clinical experts. The materials were evaluated from the point of view of empowerment by their external appearance, content and instructiveness. In terms of their external appearance the materials were well prepared, but much was left to be desired with regard to contents and instructiveness. Development needs to focus on making better use of methods of visual representation, on increasing the coverage of content areas that so far have received less attention, like social, experiential, ethical and financial empowerment, and on providing a more focused perspective on the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland. kirsi.johansson@utu.fi
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salanterä
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katajisto
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leino-Kilpi
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005387:Finland; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards*; D014956:Writing