A randomized trial comparing the effectiveness and preference of a touch-screen computer system with a leaflet for...

To evaluate how well women learned and retained information given to them by either a leaflet or a computer-generated information system, and which system they preferred to use for obtaining information about urinary symptoms.

Forty women answered 11 questions on the aetiology, investigation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms. They were then randomized to use one of the information systems for 20 min, after which they answered the same urological questions. The women then crossed over to use the other information system for 20 min and afterwards completed a preference questionnaire.

The mean baseline scores from a possible total of 11 were 3.9 and 4.3 for the computer and leaflet groups, respectively. The mean improvements in scores were 3.6 (P < 0.001) and 2.8 (P < 0.001) for the computer and leaflet groups, respectively. Both information systems were well liked by all of the women and 26 (65%) said they would prefer to use a computer-generated system in the future if given a choice.

Women significantly increased their knowledge of urinary problems after using a computer-generated information system or a leaflet. Although there were few subjects, there appeared to be a trend for the computer system to be both better liked and slightly more effective.