Patient evaluation of a novel patient education leaflet about heart disease risk among people with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) require access to clear and consistent information about their condition, and Arthritis Research UK produces a wide range of leaflets to meet this need. There is no patient information leaflet about cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the context of having RA, despite the fact that CVD accounts for 50% of the mortality in RA. A leaflet was developed; this paper describes the patient evaluation of this novel education resource.
METHODS: A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the leaflet's content, literacy, graphics, layout and ability to stimulate learning. It was distributed, with the leaflet, to 500 National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society members.
RESULTS: There was a 72.8% response rate. Of the respondents: 96% agreed that the purpose of the leaflet was clear; 78% agreed that the leaflet was relevant to them; 96% agreed that they understood the leaflet; 53% agreed that the leaflet cover was appealing; 81% agreed that the size of the typing was suitable; 71% agreed that the advice was appropriate for their lifestyle. Omissions included adequately describing any risks associated with its advice, what sources of information were used to compile the leaflet and when this information was produced. Eighty-four per cent of respondents said that they would recommend this leaflet to other people with RA. Qualitatively, many people felt more empowered as a result of reading the leaflet.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient evaluation of new educational resources is important and ensures that materials meet patients' needs and are presented in a user-friendly style. Ultimately, the test of the effectiveness of the leaflet will be if patients change their behaviour appropriately.