Information leaflets for venous leg ulcer patients: are they effective?
OBJECTIVE
To validate the usefulness of written information for patients with venous leg ulcers and test the hypothesis that patients who receive written information retain more knowledge than those who receive verbal information alone.


METHODS
Twenty patients newly diagnosed with venous leg ulcers were recruited into this prospective trial. Patients were randomised either to the control group (given verbal information on their condition) or the intervention group (same verbal information and an information leaflet). The verbal information was in the same format as in the leaflet. Patients' knowledge of the condition was ascertained at an initial interview and at follow-up four to six weeks later.


RESULTS
At follow-up both groups showed an overall improvement in knowledge, with no statistical difference between them.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate there is limited value in providing information leaflets to this patient group, who were predominantly older patients with low levels of education. The relatively small sample size may explain the disappointing results. Further research may reveal a benefit of providing these leaflets to carers.
Clarke Moloney
M
M
Department of Vasular Surgery, Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick, Ireland. mclarkemoloney@mwhb.ie
Moore
A
A
Adelola
O A
OA
Burke
P E
PE
McGee
H
H
Grace
P A
PA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011932:Reading; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards*; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology