The influence of easy-to-read pamphlets about self-care management of radiation side effects on patients' knowledge.
OBJECTIVE
To test patients' knowledge of side effects after they review six easy-to-read pamphlets on radiation side effects.


METHODS
Nonexperimental.


METHODS
Urban radiation oncology clinic.


METHODS
47 patients receiving radiation treatment.


METHODS
The Knowledge of Radiation Side Effects Test was administered.


METHODS
Patient literacy and knowledge level.


RESULTS
The self-report of highest grade completed in school was 10th grade; however, the actual reading level was 4th-6th grade. Scores for each knowledge test increased with literacy level, with statistically significant correlations for pamphlets on fatigue, skin problems for women, and skin problems for men. Participants who read at the 4th-6th-grade level scored higher than expected.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the pamphlets were deemed easy to read, patients who had the lowest reading levels still had difficulty understanding them.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to written patient information, oncology nurses should use innovative teaching strategies to improve patient understanding and self-care behaviors. A need exists for continued nursing inquiry that will focus on self-care behaviors to manage radiation side effects, particularly for patients with low literacy.
College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. aa3107@wayne.edu
Feleta L
FL
Wilson
Darlene
D
Mood
Cheryl K
CK
Nordstrom
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D011932:Reading; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult