A study was conducted at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Buffalo, New York, to evaluate the impact of a behaviorally oriented nursing intervention upon well-being and health care utilization of VA patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Incorporated into the intervention was the production and distribution of a patient newsletter which addressed topics related to PVD risk factor reduction. Experiences developing the newsletter for use with PVD patients are described. In addition to the anticipated benefit for the patients, nurses developing them have also derived secondary gains. Guidelines for preparation, topics addressed and patients' reactions are discussed. A formal patient evaluation of the newsletters indicated that 65% of the respondents reported the information contained in
M.R. Ventura EdD, RN is Associate Chief. K. Todd, BSN, RN is a Nurse Researcher. K. Burch, BSN, RN is a Nurse Researcher. M.L. Grace, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian. F. Crosby, EdD, RN is a Research Associate. G. Lohr, BSN , RN is a Nurse Researcher. the newsletter stimulated a positive change in behavior. This experience has relevance for patient education coordinators and others involved in developing patient education materials.