[Development and evaluation of an information leaflet for patients consulting an university hospital dental clinic].

BACKGROUND

Dental clinics in university hospitals have several roles; dental care is delivered to patients while dental students learn clinical practice. Patients are subjected thus to specific constraints in those mixed hospital-university structures. Patients should be informed of how these structures work and their consent must be carefully sought. Otherwise, patients could manifest their refusal to receive care by interrupting the treatment process.

METHODS

This study was aimed to develop an information leaflet about the organisation of the dental clinic of the university hospital of Clermont-Ferrand. A quasi-randomised controlled study was conducted to evaluate the impact of this leaflet on patients' knowledge and absenteeism. The types of information to be included in the leaflet were determined using focus groups with patients, students and practitioners. The design, appropriateness and clarity of the leaflet were pilot tested among 30 patients. The evaluation of the impact of the leaflet was conducted among new patients who visited the dental clinic in 2007-2008. Patients were randomly allocated to three groups; one group (G1) received the leaflet at home by mail before the first visit, one group (G2) benefited from the leaflet during the first visit and one group (G3) did not receive the leaflet. The number of patients present at their appointment was recorded during the first visit (G1, G2, G3) and the second one (G2, G3). The knowledge of the patients about the dental clinic was evaluated by using a self-administered questionnaire before (except G1) and after reading the leaflet.

RESULTS

The study population included 269 patients; 94 answered the two successive questionnaires (G1=32, G2=30, G3=31). At baseline, patients did not have sufficient knowledge about the way the dental clinic was functioning. The leaflet partly improved the level of knowledge of the patients when it was given during the first visit. About 25 % of the patients were not present at their appointment and this rate was not influenced by the distribution of the leaflet.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of a leaflet, explaining the organisation of a university dental clinic, slightly improves the knowledge of new patients about this kind of care structure.