Older patients request more information : a survey of use of written patient education materials in general practice
2003
Objectives: To determine GPs' reported use of written
education materials with older patients and older
patients' reported receipt of these materials. To
determine GPs' and older patients' perceptions of
written materials.----------
Method: Using self-report questionnaires, two
populations were surveyed; a randomised sample of 50
GPs (29 males and 21 females) practising in Brisbane's
southern suburbs and a convenience sample of 188
older community-dwelling people (aged over 64 years).-----------
Results: All GPs reported using written materials with
patients, although 28% had not given any to the Last
10 patients. This increased to 46% when patients were
older. Twenty percent of patients wanted more written
information from their GP, while some GPs believed
that older patients preferred verbal information and
gave out written information only when they perceived
patient interest. All GPs reported giving written
materials at the time of consultation and over two thirds
discussed the content with patients. Just over
50% of patients reported receiving written
information from GPs in the Last six months and only
hall of these again discussed it directly with their GP.
Overall, patients were more positive than GPs about
the value of written education materials.----------
Conclusions: Older patients' desire for written
information may be better met if they are more
assertive in requesting this of GPs and GPs may
better serve their patients' needs if they make written
information more readily available to them. Better
access to materials and more financial incentives to
give them out might also increase GPs' use of
written materials.
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