Comparing comprehensibility of standard and enhanced prescription medicine labels: a randomized simulation

Mohammad, Annim; Saini, Bandana; Badcock, Caro-Anne; Chaar, Betty

doi:10.1093/ijpp/riac034

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 44 publications

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“…They can be defined as stylized, figurative, two-dimensional images intended to attract attention and convey information without language or words (Abdullah, Hübner & Cziwerny 2006). The inclusion of pictograms on medicine labels and in written health information leaflets has been shown to improve comprehension, knowledge and recall of information (Dowse & Ehlers 2005;Heyns, Van Huyssteen & Bheekie 2021;Merks et al 2018;Mohammad et al 2022). They also serve to attract the viewer's attention, enhance user-friendliness and reduce the perceived challenges associated with reading text-only documents, and they improve patient satisfaction (Mansoor & Dowse 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmaceutical indication pictograms for low literacy viewers: Health literacy and comprehension

Dowse,

Okeyo,

Sikhondze

et al. 2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Poor comprehension of pharmaceutical pictograms used on medicine labels or leaflets can compromise understanding of medicine-taking information, potentially causing negative health outcomes. Aim:The aim was to assess association of health literacy (HL) with comprehension of pictograms displaying indication and side effect information in a lower literacy, limited English proficiency (LEP) population.Setting: Community centre, Makhanda, South Africa.Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study using simple random probability sampling. Ninety isiXhosa-speaking adults with a maximum of 12 years schooling, attending primary healthcare clinics were interviewed using structured interviews. Health literacy was assessed using the Health Literacy Test for Limited Literacy populations. Comprehension of 10 locally developed pictograms was evaluated. Results:The mean pictogram comprehension score was 7.9/10, with 8/10 pictograms complying with the International Organization for Standardization criterion of 66.7% correct comprehension. Only 15.6% of participants had adequate HL. A significant association of HL with pictogram comprehension was established (p = 0.002). Pictogram misinterpretation was higher in those with lower HL; adequate HL was associated with superior comprehension. Pictogram comprehension was negatively associated with age (p < 0.006), and positively associated with education (p < 0.001) and English proficiency (p < 0.001). Conclusion:Higher HL was associated with better pictogram comprehension. Low HL, LEP and low education levels are regarded as potential indicators for possible pictogram misinterpretation. Contribution:This study observed the potential for misinterpretation of medication pictograms. Health professionals should be aware that low HL, limited schooling and limited English proficiency could signal difficulty in fully comprehending pictogram content.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmaceutical indication pictograms for low literacy viewers: Health literacy and comprehension

Dowse,

Okeyo,

Sikhondze

et al. 2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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Pharmacy students’ opinion of the routine use of pharmaceutical pictograms on a health care train serving rural limited literacy patients

Dowse

2023

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

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Objectives To assess pharmacy student opinion of the routine use of pictograms for counselling and communicating medicine-related information. Methods A Google Forms survey was sent to co-ordinators at five Pharmacy Schools who distributed the link to 152 students following their 5-day work placement. The survey included Likert Scale and open questions on prior pictogram exposure, their usefulness in practice and their design. Key findings Opinion of pictogram usefulness in facilitating communication with patients was positive, with 104 (95.4%) rating their usefulness as good/excellent. Students noted language and low literacy as communication barriers which pictograms helped to mitigate. Only 24.8% (N = 27) reported that using pictograms required extra time during the dispensing process. Most students reported that patients liked the pictograms and found it easy to teach patients the pictogram meaning to clarify verbal and written medicine-related information. Pictograms were regarded by most students as simple, clear, culturally acceptable and able to communicate their core message clearly. A third agreed that they should have additional detail and be more realistic, some offered suggestions for modification. Many suggested expanding pictogram use to primary care clinics and hospitals. Conclusions This study presents unique finding relating to the role and value of pictograms in practice. Opinion of routine pictogram use was largely positive, particularly given significant language and literacy barriers in this rural population. The extra time taken using pictograms was generally not regarded as a barrier to their adoption. Pictogram quality and design were considered to be good, with expanded use of pictograms suggested.

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Comparing comprehensibility of standard and enhanced prescription medicine labels: a randomized simulation

Cited by 2 publications

References 44 publications

Pharmaceutical indication pictograms for low literacy viewers: Health literacy and comprehension

Pharmaceutical indication pictograms for low literacy viewers: Health literacy and comprehension

Pharmacy students’ opinion of the routine use of pharmaceutical pictograms on a health care train serving rural limited literacy patients

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