A randomized trial assessing the impact of written information on outpatients' knowledge about and attitude toward randomized clinical trials. The INFO trial group

A Y Kruse, L L Kjaergard, K Krogsgaard, C Gluud, E L Mortensen, A Gottschau, A M Bjerg

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

To improve the patient education process in clinical research, three information materials describing general aspects of design and conduct of randomized clinical trials were developed. The materials varied in length, reading ability level, and reader appeal. Their influence on knowledge about and attitude toward randomized clinical trials was assessed in a randomized, parallel group, evaluator-blinded trial among 415 outpatients. The patients were randomized to the following groups: control (no intervention), leaflet, brochure, or booklet. Knowledge was assessed by a 17-item multiple-choice questionnaire and attitude was assessed by a 32-item Likert questionnaire at entry and 2 weeks after the intervention. The interventions and the questionnaires were pilot tested and power calculations were performed. At entry, the mean knowledge score was 7.9 points. At follow-up, the knowledge scores increased by 0.5 for the control, 1.0 for the leaflet, 1.6 for the brochure, and 1.4 for the booklet. The brochure and the booklet improved the knowledge score significantly compared with the control. The general attitude was positive at entry (mean 71.5 points). Only the booklet significantly increased the total attitude score (4.8 points) and the randomized clinical trials attitude subscale score (1.8 points). In conclusion, written information significantly improved outpatients' knowledge about and attitude toward randomized clinical trials. Detailed rather than brief information was more effective. Control Clin Trials 2000;21:223-240

Original languageEnglish
JournalControlled Clinical Trials
Volume21
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)223-40
Number of pages18
ISSN0197-2456
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2000

Keywords

  • Attitude to Health
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Pilot Projects
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

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