title: Patient knowledge and recall of health information following exposure to "facts and myths" message format variations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess if exposure to varying "facts and myths" message formats affected participant knowledge and recall accuracy of information related to influenza vaccination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consenting patients (N=125) were randomized to receive one of four influenza related messages (Facts Only; Facts and Myths; Facts, Myths, and Refutations; or CDC Control), mailed one week prior to a scheduled physician visit. Knowledge was measured using 15 true/false items at pretest and posttest; recall accuracy was assessed using eight items at posttest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants' knowledge scores increased significantly (p<0.05); those exposed to the CDC Control message had a higher posttest knowledge score (adjusted mean=11.18) than those in the Facts Only condition (adjusted mean 9.61, p=<0.02). Participants accurately recalled a mean of 4.49 statements (SD=1.98). ANOVA demonstrated significant differences in recall accuracy by condition [F(3, 83)=7.74, p<.001, η(2)=0.22].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Messages that include facts, myths, and evidence to counteract myths appear to be effective in increasing participants' knowledge. We found no evidence that presenting both facts and myths is counterproductive to recall accuracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of messages containing facts and myths may engage the reader and lead to knowledge gain. Recall accuracy is not assured by merely presenting factual information.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. k-cameron@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Kenzie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Roloff
authors.forename: Elisha M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Friesema
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Borko D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Jovanovic
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hauber
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Influenza; Message design; Message framing; Patient education; Recall accuracy
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