Information leaflets for venous leg ulcer patients: are they effective?

To validate the usefulness of written information for patients with venous leg ulcers and test the hypothesis that patients who receive written information retain more knowledge than those who receive verbal information alone.

Twenty patients newly diagnosed with venous leg ulcers were recruited into this prospective trial. Patients were randomised either to the control group (given verbal information on their condition) or the intervention group (same verbal information and an information leaflet). The verbal information was in the same format as in the leaflet. Patients' knowledge of the condition was ascertained at an initial interview and at follow-up four to six weeks later.

At follow-up both groups showed an overall improvement in knowledge, with no statistical difference between them.

The results indicate there is limited value in providing information leaflets to this patient group, who were predominantly older patients with low levels of education. The relatively small sample size may explain the disappointing results. Further research may reveal a benefit of providing these leaflets to carers.