Potential communication tools include but are not limited to verbal, written, audio, video, computer-based, internet-based, and decision aids. Research has shown that:
- Verbal and/or written health information significantly increased the knowledge and understanding of health information patients and/or significant others e.g. (Houts et al. 2006; Johnson et al. 2003; Trevena et al. 2006).
- Written and tape-recorded (audio) instructions were found to improve the recall of health information (Watson and McKinstry 2009).
- Pictures closely linked to written or spoken text can, when compared to text alone, markedly increase attention to and recall of health education information (Houts et al. 2006).
- Multimedia (e.g. interactive computer programs, video, and animation) appears to be effective in improving patient understanding (Houts et al. 2006).