Placing wireless tablets in clinical settings for patient education

Abstract

Patients are amendable to receiving published health information that is made available to them while they are in clinic waiting areas. Patients who make use of health education materials during their time in waiting areas are less likely to be dissatisfied with their clinical visits, which could make them more likely to seek follow-up care, keep future appointments, or comply with treatment plans. Furthermore, ready access to published health information in waiting areas may mitigate the effects associated with low health literacy, such as medication non-adherence and poor clinical outcomes. These findings are important in that health care organizations are under pressure to educate patients and improve overall health literacy. The findings further suggest that access to health education materials in clinical settings can improve patient satisfaction.