The development and validation of a patient-information booklet on ureteric stents

Objective To report a scientific approach incorporating patient preferences towards the development of a patient-information booklet about ureteric st ents. Patients and methods Phase I of the study included 35 adult patients with u reteric stents who were surveyed using semi-structured interviews (four pat ients) and a questionnaire (31 patients) to assess various issues relating to information given to patients about ureteric stents. In addition, publis hed papers were assessed and clinicians' opinions sought. The results forme d the basis for a comprehensive patient-information booklet about ureteric stents that incorporated patients' views and preferences. In phase 2, the b ooklet was tested and formally validated by inviting 30 patients. a panel o f 20 urologists and general practitioners, and five stent manufacturers to assess the booklet for adequacy, coverage and readability of the content. Results Of the 35 patients, 30 (19 men and 11 women, mean age 49 years, ran ge 20-78) participated in the initial survey: 80% of patients reported diss atisfaction about the information they received. Patients wanted more infor mation about the use, adverse events and effects of stents on daily life: 8 5% preferred all relevant information about the stents to be in a written f ormat with illustrative drawings. An eight-page booklet was thus developed. The validation study revealed that the booklet matched patients' experienc es (approval score of 9/10, range 8-10) and was reported as satisfactory by clinicians and manufacturers. Conclusions A validated information booklet on ureteric stents was develope d. incorporating patients' expectations and views. This booklet is expected to be an effective tool for patient communication that would help patients cope better with indwelling stents and be useful in counselling patients. A similar approach could be adopted for the development of other patient in formation packs.