Use of Patient Education Materials in General Practice: Suitability and use for older patients, 2000

The aims of this study were twofold. Firstly, to determine the extent and pattern of use of Patient Education Materials (PEMs) by General Practioners (GPs) with their older patients, and secondly older people's perceptions of and saftisfaction with the PEMs provided by GPs. In achieving the aims the study sampled two populations, GPs and older patients. Variables for the GPs data include practice details; use of PEMs; type of PEMs used; when and where the information is provided; rate of provision of PEMs; and usefulness of PEMs for patients over 65 years. Variables for the older patient data include use of different types of PEM; difficulty in using different types of PEMs; how and in what form PEM is collected; and how and in what form they would prefer PEM. Background variables for the GPs data include age; gender; qualifications; and work status. Background variables for the older patient data include age; first language spoken; education level completed; employment status; occupation; gross household income and current living arrangement.