Media and memory: The efficacy of video and print materials for promoting patient education about asthma

ObjectiveWe examined the effects of presentation medium on immediate and delayed recall of information and assessed the effect of giving patients take-home materials after initial presentations.MethodsPrimary-care patients received video-based, print-based or no asthma education about asthma symptoms and triggers and then answered knowledge-based questions. Print participants and half the video participants received take-home print materials. A week later, available participants completed the knowledge assessment again.ResultsParticipants receiving either intervention outperformed controls on immediate and delayed assessments (p < 0.001). For symptom-related information, immediate performance did not significantly differ between print and video participants. A week later, receiving take-home print predicted better performance (p < 0.05), as did self-reported review among recipients of take-home print (p < 0.01). For content about inhaler usage, although video watchers outperformed print participants immediately after seeing the materials (p < 0.001), a week later these two groups’ performance did not significantly differ. Among participants given take-home materials, review predicted marginally better recall (p = 0.06).ConclusionVideo and print interventions can promote recall of health-related information. Additionally, reviewable materials, if they are utilized, may improve retention.Practice implicationsWhen creating educational tools, providers should consider how long information must be retained, its content, and the feasibility of providing tangible supporting materials.