Effectiveness of a printed leaflet for enabling patients to use digoxin side-effect information

The effectiveness of a printed leaflet designed to inform patients about digoxin was evaluated. The printed leaflet alone was compared to the verbal consultation alone and the verbal consultation in addition to the printed leaflet. The study assessed patients' decisions about the appropriate course of action to take if side-effect symptoms occurred. Patients receiving the printed leaflet alone scored higher than patients receiving the verbal consultation; however, they scored lower than patients receiving both the printed leaflet and verbal consultation together. Patients receiving both verbal and printed information scored significantly higher than those receiving verbal consultation only. The findings suggest that printed materials together with verbal consultation are essential for enabling patients to make appropriate decisions with respect to side effects. There is not enough evidence to support the use of printed materials in place of verbal consultation. Health practitioners should use printed materials as an adjunct to verbal information.