The comprehensibility of asthma education materials

Asthma information pamphlets, brochures and other media materials are produced by a range of organisations for a diverse range of educational purposes. It is important to understand the principles of preparing appropriate and intelligible written material, to increase the probability that they will be more likely to improve health outcomes. Asthma patient education material: like many other types of health education material, is often written at a reading age above the target audience, and is less likely to be comprehended. Attention should be paid to the principles of good written communication in the preparation of such material. Such material should ideally be used in conjunction with verbal advice, as part of a medical consultation or asthma education program. Other asthma education media, including public education and mass communications material, should be subject to formative evaluation to assess its suitability and relevance for the proposed target audience. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.