PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED INVESTIGATION OF 3 PRINTED INFORMATION FORMS FOR UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY

Information about procedure and risks is prerequisite for obtaining in formed consent for endoscopy. This prospective and randomized investig ation evaluated (i) the extent of patients' information needs and (ii) the formal quality (language: ease of understanding: length, figures etc.) of three information forms concerning upper GI-endoscopy issued in 1995 by DIOmed (1), perimed compliance (2), and PERIMED-spitta (3) as judged by the patients. (iii) Outcome quality was investigated as t he influence of these forms on understanding why and how endoscopy was performed as well as the influence on feeling threatened. Furthermore patients' anxiety was assessed by using Spielberger's state-trait anx iety inventory (STAI). 218 patients completed the investigation (n = 7 3: 70, 75, respectively). 60% claimed the need for a detailed explanat ion of the planned endoscopy and 48% said they wanted exhaustive infor mations about potential complications and risks. The three forms (leng th 819, 771. 1,245 words) were entirely read by 87%, 89% and 82% of th e patients. Positive language, adequate length (69%: 69%, 71%) and. ad equate layout were evenly attributed to the three forms. A high impact of the figures for understanding was found more frequently (48%, 46%, 35%) with (1) and (2) and language war regarded easy by 57%, 54% and 44%, respectively. Flesh's reading ease score, however, proved a sophi sticated niveau of language with all three forms. The indication for e ndoscopy (37%. 49%, 56%) and explanation of performance (43%. 43%, 63% ) was superior with (3). This form also reduced anxiety as judged by S TAI-means, overall STAI-changes: and relevant changes (greater than or equal to 5 points). Form (2) increased patients' anxiety. Conclusion: While the formal quality of all information forms is appreciated by p atients both their reading ease score and figures should be improved. A significant reduction of anxiety can be achieved by appropriate sele ction of the information material.