A randomized trial comparing the effectiveness and preference of a touch-screen computer system with a leaflet for providing women with information on urinary symptoms suggestive of detrusor instability

Objectives To evaluate how well women learned and retained information give n to them by either a leaflet or a computer-generated information system, a nd which system they preferred to use for obtaining information about urina ry symptoms. Subjects and methods Forty women answered 11 questions on the aetiology, in vestigation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms. They were then r andomized to use one of the information systems for 20 min, after which the y answered the same urological questions. The women then crossed over to us e the other information system for 20 min and afterwards completed a prefer ence questionnaire. Results The mean baseline scores from a possible total of 11 were 3.9 and 4 .3 for the computer and leaflet groups, respectively. The mean improvements in scores were 3.6 (P<0.001) and 2.8 (P<0.001) for the computer and leafle t groups, respectively. Both information systems were well liked by all of the women and 26 (65%) said they would prefer to use a computer-generated s ystem in the future if given a choice. Conclusions Women significantly increased their knowledge of urinary proble ms after using a computer-generated information system or a leaflet. Althou gh there were few subjects, there appeared to be a trend for the computer s ystem to be both better liked and slightly more effective.