ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We assessed the suitability of patients' education materials made by KAFM (Korean Academy of Family Medicine) to suggest guidelines for making more efficient education materials. METHODS: The Korean version of SAM (Suitability Assessment of Materials) was used to evaluate patients' education materials of KAFM. The Korean version was modified within the centext of Korean language and culture by 3 family medicine specialists. We evaluated all materials which had been made up to October, 2003. Each item of evaluation criteria was assessed and agreed by 3 family medicine specialists. RESULTS: The total number of evaluated materials as 51. The average SAM score was 40.2% and its range was 22~78%. The materials on 'Early detection and self examination of breast cancer', 'Back muscle exercise for back pain patients', and 'Treatment and management of hypertension' received high scores. The materials on 'TIA', 'Alcohol and liver', and 'Children's constipation' received low scores. Two materials (3.9%) were judged excellent, 18 (35.3%) adequate, and 31 (60.8%) not adequate. The criteria for each item such as learning aids via road signs, layout factors, and typography received high scores. The criteria for each item such as summary or review included, 'context is given first', 'cover graphic shows purpose', relevance of illustrations, and 'caption used for graphics' received low scores. CONCLUSION: The items such as 'learning aids via road signs', 'layout factors', and 'typography' received high scores in the evaluation of patients' education materials by SAM criteria. There were also weak points noted about unclear purpose, less description about behavior change, irrelevance of illustrations, and lack of learning stimulation and motivation.