PictureRx: Illustrated medication instructions for patients with limited health literacy

Abstract

Objectives To describe (1) the role of illustrated medication instructions in pharmacy practice, (2) the evidence for their use, and (3) our experience with their implementation. Practice description PictureRx is applicable to all pharmacy practice settings. Practice innovation PictureRx enables pharmacists to rapidly produce evidence-based, illustrated medication instructions that are well-understood by patients of all health literacy levels. Results PictureRx has been studied in a number of settings. The tool was successfully deployed at a busy, outpatient pharmacy; in a medical clinic for the underserved; and pilot-tested among elderly, community dwelling Medicare recipients. In each of these settings, PictureRx was received favorably by patients, pharmacists, and other health care providers. It improved patients’ satisfaction with the pharmacy and knowledge about their medications. Ongoing research is assessing whether PictureRx enhances medication management among Latinos. Conclusion PictureRx helps pharmacists address challenges related to low health literacy and can be implemented into a broad range of practices environments. Ongoing research will delineate the extent to which PictureRx reduces health disparities.

Using pictograms to assist caregivers in liquid medication administration: a systematic review

“…Consistent with studies of adult patients, Yin et al . showed that pictographic interventions might only be helpful to the caregivers with limited health literacy .…”

“…30,32,38 In fact, comprehension of the complicated pharmaceutical instructions can be improved by simplifying the text and strengthening the correspondence between pictures and text. 42 Consistent with studies of adult patients, 30,32,[37][38][39] Yin et al showed that pictographic interventions might only be helpful to the caregivers with limited health literacy. 44 However, the findings of Tork suggested that the usefulness of pictorial aids might not 46 High High Unclear Unclear Low Unclear Low significantly vary across health literacy levels.…”

“…Pictorial aids have been proven useful to help in improving attention, comprehension of medical instructions, recall of information, adherence and health intentions among adult patients . A number of studies also highlighted the need to combine the use of pictograms with oral and written instructions, particularly for patients with limited health literacy skills . The impact of pictographic interventions has been less intensively investigated for child health.…”

“…[30][31][32][33][34][35][36] A number of studies also highlighted the need to combine the use of pictograms with oral and written instructions, particularly for patients with limited health literacy skills. 30,32,[37][38][39] The impact of pictographic interventions has been less intensively investigated for child health. Given that more than 80% of out-of-hospital medication errors among young children involved liquid formulations, 40 this review was conducted to specifically determine the effectiveness of pictorial aids used to assist parents and caregivers in the administration of liquid medications.…”

Age and education as factors associated with medication literacy: a community pharmacy perspective.

“…To solve this problem, it would be interesting to add illustrations to help patients with low levels of literacy to improve their understanding of how medicines should be used. Indeed, a study showed that this type of illustration could reduce errors both in the dosage of the medicine and resolve doubts about the part of the body where medication should be applied, at the same time increasing the degree of satisfaction with the care received in the community pharmacy in patients with low ML showed (36,37). However, another study carried out with that the use of illustrations did not reinforce the information received only in written form (38).…”