Explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction: Development of an evidence-based patient education strategy

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction would help younger and older adults learn and apply health information. METHOD: Ninety younger and 51 older adults read about a fictitious disease with or without explanations about the cause-and-effects (causal information) of illness management. A knowledge test (applied vs. factual items) was administered immediately and 1-week …