evaluation of quality of patient education pamphlets made by nursing students

background and purpose: patient education is one important competency expected from health care professionals . the aim of this study , was to evaluat quality of written materials provide for education of patients with chronic diseases in form of pamphlets made by nursing students . methods: this study used a non experimental, descriptive design .in this research , first copy of 120 pamphlets made by nursing students was gathered and literacy level of each patient that pamphlet was made for him(her) wrote in first page of each . for evaluating this pamphlets, researcher used two instruments: 1- self – made checklist includes three parts : message content, making and organization of the pamphlets and appearance and appeal of them and 2 - the smog formula for determining literacy level needed for reading this pamphlets. results: the results of the study revealed that , the main items chosed by students was related to endocrine system, specially diabetes, (15/8%, n= 19) and most of title discussed in these pamphlets was teaching about self – care actions ( 21/93%, n = 50) .the average literacy level needed for reading this pamphlets was 11/74 and. each of them doesn’t written at recommended literacy level at 6 or less.. discussion: patient education materials related to chronic diseases was written at beyound patients literacy level . if we want that patients use this materials , we must made them easear and more understanable and made them with attention to other recommended considerations . keyword: e valuation , t eaching , p atient teaching , c hronic disease journal of medical education winter 2006; 8(2); 103-110