The effects of two health information texts on patient recognition memory: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: Objective: To compare the effects of two health information texts on patient recognition memory, a key aspect of comprehension. Methods: Randomized controlled trial (N =60), comparing the effects of experimental and control colorectal cancer (CRC) screening texts on recognition memory, measured using a statement recognition test, accounting for response bias (score range −0.91 to 5.34). The experimental text had a lower Flesch–Kincaid reading grade level (7.4 versus 9.6), was more focused on addressing screening barriers, and employed more comparative tables than the control text. Results: Recognition memory was higher in the experimental group (2.54 versus 1.09, t =−3.63, P =0.001), including after adjustment for age, education, and health literacy (β =0.42, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.68, P =0.001), and in analyses limited to persons with college degrees (β =0.52, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.86, P =0.004) or no self-reported health literacy problems (β =0.39, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.71, P =0.02). Conclusion: An experimental CRC screening text improved recognition memory, including among patients with high education and self-assessed health literacy. Practice implications: CRC screening texts comparable to our experimental text may be warranted for all screening-eligible patients, if such texts improve screening uptake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]