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Does reading about stroke increase stroke knowledge? The impact of different print materials
Kathleen M Mazor1, Susan Billings-Gagliardi
1Meyers Primary Care Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Fallon Healthcare System, 630 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. kathleen.mazor@umassmed.edu
Patient Education and Counseling
|November 25, 2003
Summary
Print materials on stroke awareness minimally improved stroke knowledge in lay people, particularly regarding causal mechanisms. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of fictionalized health information.
Area of Science:
- Health Communication
- Public Health Education
- Neurology
Background:
- Effective health communication is crucial for public understanding of critical medical conditions like stroke.
- Assessing the impact of accessible educational materials, such as print packets, is vital for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of print-based educational materials in enhancing stroke knowledge among the general public.
- To compare the impact of different formats of stroke information on knowledge acquisition.
Main Methods:
- 177 participants were randomized to receive one of five stroke information packets or a control packet on colorectal cancer.
- Participants rated material usability and completed stroke knowledge assessments after an average 18-day delay.
Main Results:
- While participants generally rated the materials positively, stroke knowledge scores were significantly higher only for understanding causal mechanisms (stroke pathophysiology) in the stroke information groups compared to the control.
- The impact of print materials on overall stroke knowledge, assessed after a week or more, was minimal.
Conclusions:
- Print materials showed a limited effect on increasing general stroke knowledge in lay individuals.
- Fictionalized stroke information suggested potential for greater memorability, warranting further investigation into narrative-based health education.