Interdisciplinary Pituitary Disorders Centre of Excellence: Assessment of Patient Education Tools

Overview

The purpose of this research study is to determine the utility of educational materials designed to inform patients of their pituitary condition, in an effort to assist the patients, families, and staff deal with pituitary tumours and related conditions in the best way possible. We have developed a website, informational videos, and a brochure for pituitary tumour patients and their families. The primary outcome measures will be 1) the level of knowledge that patients have of their condition before and after reviewing the materials provided; and 2) ease of use and user satisfaction of the materials. We hypothesize that our informative multimedia educational package will not only improve the health literacy and self-efficacy of patients and their families, but will also improve quality of care.

This study involves a formative evaluation of the health literacy resources that we have already developed. We see approximately 60 new patients a year with pituitary disorders, plus the follow-up patients: all of these patients will be offered the opportunity to participate in the study. These materials include a website (containing videos, illustrations and written materials) and plain language educational brochures. The educational materials include information that patients will need throughout their experience with a pituitary tumour, ranging from the signs and symptoms of tumours, to long-term post-operative lifestyle changes. This evaluation will be a mixed-methods evaluation. Part A (Think aloud) will use "think-aloud" processes to evaluate the usefulness and ease of use of a website that we have developed with patients and their families. Part B (Resource assessment) will involve the use of questionnaires followed by semi-structured interviews with patients and families before and after using the resources.