Dataset Information

Assessing the readability and patient comprehension of rheumatology medicine information sheets: a cross-sectional Health Literacy Study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Patients are often provided with medicine information sheets (MIS). However, up to 60% of patients have low health literacy. The recommended readability level for health-related information is ?grade 8. We sought to assess the readability of MIS given to patients by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada and to examine Australian patient comprehension of these documents. DESIGN:Cross-sectional study. SETTING:Community-based regional rheumatology practice. PARTICIPANTS:Random sample of patients attending the rheumatology practice. OUTCOME MEASURES:Readability of MIS was assessed using readability formulae (Flesch Reading Ease formula, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook scale, FORCAST (named after the authors FORd, CAylor, STicht) and the Gunning Fog scale). Literal comprehension was assessed by asking patients to read various Australian MIS and immediately answer five simple multiple choice questions about the MIS. RESULTS:The mean (±SD) grade level for the MIS from Australia, the UK and Canada was 11.6±0.1, 11.8±0.1?and 9.7±0.1?respectively. The Flesch Reading Ease score for the Australian (50.8±0.6) and UK (48.5±1.5) MIS classified the documents as 'fairly difficult' to 'difficult'. The Canadian MIS (66.1±1.0) were classified as 'standard'. The five questions assessing comprehension were correctly answered by 9/21 patients for the adalimumab MIS, 7/11 for the methotrexate MIS, 6/28 for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory MIS, 10/11 for the prednisone MIS and 13/24 for the abatacept MIS. CONCLUSIONS:The readability of MIS used by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada exceeds grade 8 level. This may explain why patient literal comprehension of these documents may be poor. Simpler, shorter MIS with pictures and infographics may improve patient comprehension. This may lead to improved medication adherence and better health outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Oliffe M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6377552 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Assessing the readability and patient comprehension of rheumatology medicine information sheets: a cross-sectional Health Literacy Study.

Oliffe Michael M Thompson Emma E Johnston Jenny J Freeman Dianne D Bagga Hanish H Wong Peter K K PKK

BMJ open 20190205 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>Patients are often provided with medicine information sheets (MIS). However, up to 60% of patients have low health literacy. The recommended readability level for health-related information is ≤grade 8. We sought to assess the readability of MIS given to patients by rheumatologists in Australia, the UK and Canada and to examine Australian patient comprehension of these documents.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional study.<h4>Setting</h4>Community-based regional rheumatology practice ...[more]

PMID: 30813117

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Project description:The aim of this study was to investigate the level of misunderstanding of medication information in Korean adults after stratifying by level of health literacy and to identify the factors influencing the misunderstanding of medication information and reading amounts of information on OTC drug labels. A cross-sectional survey was performed with 375 adult participants using the survey instrument. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors which influence misunderstanding of medication information. Participants misunderstood 20% of words on OTC drug labels, 9% of prescription drug instructions, and 9% of pictograms. Participants on average read 59% of the overall contents of the OTC drug labels. As prescription drugs' dosing regimens became more complicated, the level of misunderstanding instructions increased. The level of misunderstanding words on OTC drug labels significantly decreased as participants had adequate health literacy (β = -18.11, p < 0.001) and higher education levels (β = -6.83, p < 0.001), after adjusting for the study variables. The level of misunderstanding instructions for prescription drugs increased as participants became older (β = 8.81, p < 0.001) and had lower education levels (β = -5.05, p < 0.001), after adjusting for the study variables. The level of misunderstanding pictograms was similar to that of misunderstanding instructions for prescription drug labels. The amount of reading information on OTC drug labels significantly increased as respondents had adequate health literacy (β = 9.27, p < 0.001), were older (β = 12.49, p < 0.001), or had chronic diseases (β = 7.49, p = 0.007). Individuals' health literacy level, reading behaviors, and complexity of medication instructions are associated with misunderstanding of medication information. Appropriate word choices in drug labels and an improved format of medication instructions could increase understanding of medication information and prevent adverse drug reactions.

Project description:BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) defines the support and practice of health care using mobile devices and promises to improve the current treatment situation of patients with chronic diseases. Little is known about mHealth usage and digital preferences of patients with chronic rheumatic diseases.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to explore mHealth usage, preferences, barriers, and eHealth literacy reported by German patients with rheumatic diseases.MethodsBetween December 2018 and January 2019, patients (recruited consecutively) with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis were asked to complete a paper-based survey. The survey included questions on sociodemographics, health characteristics, mHealth usage, eHealth literacy using eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and communication and information preferences.ResultsOf the patients (N=193) who completed the survey, 176 patients (91.2%) regularly used a smartphone, and 89 patients (46.1%) regularly used social media. Patients (132/193, 68.4%) believed that using medical apps could be beneficial for their own health. Out of 193 patients, only 8 (4.1%) were currently using medical apps, and only 22 patients (11.4%) stated that they knew useful rheumatology websites/mobile apps. Nearly all patients (188/193, 97.4%) would agree to share their mobile app data for research purposes. Out of 193 patients, 129 (66.8%) would regularly enter data using an app, and 146 patients (75.6%) would welcome official mobile app recommendations from the national rheumatology society. The preferred duration for data entry was not more than 15 minutes (110/193, 57.0%), and the preferred frequency was weekly (59/193, 30.6%). Medication information was the most desired app feature (150/193, 77.7%). Internet was the most frequently utilized source of information (144/193, 74.6%). The mean eHealth literacy was low (26.3/40) and was positively correlated with younger age, app use, belief in benefit of using medical apps, and current internet use to obtain health information.ConclusionsPatients with rheumatic diseases are very eager to use mHealth technologies to better understand their chronic diseases. This open-mindedness is counterbalanced by low mHealth usage and competency. Personalized mHealth solutions and clear implementation recommendations are needed to realize the full potential of mHealth in rheumatology.

Dataset Information

Assessing the readability and patient comprehension of rheumatology medicine information sheets: a cross-sectional Health Literacy Study.

Publications

Assessing the readability and patient comprehension of rheumatology medicine information sheets: a cross-sectional Health Literacy Study.

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