Randomised trial of a computer-generated tailored written education package for patients following stroke.
BACKGROUND
The ideal method of providing stroke patients with information has not been established.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of providing stroke patients with computer-generated tailored written information.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial with blinded assessor.


METHODS
Acute stroke unit.


METHODS
138 stroke patients.


METHODS
Patients were randomised to receive either computer-generated tailored written information about stroke or generic written information while in hospital. Three months following discharge, a blinded assessor evaluated the outcomes of knowledge about stroke, self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy to Perform Self-Management Behaviours Scale), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale), perceived health status (COOP charts), satisfaction with content and presentation of the written information received (separate 10-point visual analogue scale for content and presentation), and desire for additional information.


RESULTS
Complete data were obtained for 133 (96.4%) patients. Patients in the intervention group were significantly more satisfied with the content (difference on a 10-point visual analogue scale was 1, 95% confidence interval 0.4 to 1.7, P = 0.003) and presentation (difference on a 10-point visual analogue scale was 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.6 to 1.9, P < 0.001). Significantly, fewer patients in the intervention group desired additional information about stroke at follow-up than patients in the control group (4.5% versus 32.8%; P < 0.001). Anxiety change scores improved slightly more in favour of the control group (1.4 difference on the HAD subscale, 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 2.8, P = 0.03). No significant differences between the groups were observed for any of the other outcome measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Providing stroke patients with computer-generated tailored written information improved satisfaction with the information that was received and was more effective in meeting patients' informational needs than non-tailored information, but had no effect on knowledge about stroke, self-efficacy, depression, or perceived health status.
Hoffmann
Tammy
T
Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. t.hoffmann@uq.edu.au
McKenna
Kryss
K
Worrall
Linda
L
Read
Stephen J
SJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome