Growing demand for improved patient education has highlighted the potential that written materials may have in this area. Research has informed the content and design of patient literature, but there is little documented information concerning how materials are used in a clinical setting. The views and current practice of rheumatology health care professionals were examined in relation to patient education leaflets. It was found that leaflets were not displayed centrally, but were distributed in one-to-one consultations early in the course of disease and were used to clarify, reinforce and remind. Tension, between consultants and other health professionals, emerged in terms of the amount of information patients should be given.
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