Doctors and pharmacists provision and opinions of medicines information leaflets in New Zealand

A scoping review of visual communication of written patient health information preferences including a Māori perspective

This scoping review examines the visual design elements of written patient information (WPI), specifically focusing on imagery, colour, layout and content presentation, and their impact on health information communication, understanding, behaviour and preferences among patients. Understanding patient preferences allows for patient-informed WPI design, which is important for Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) living in a colonial society. Nine studies were analysed, primarily investigating the integration of visual illustrations within WPI. Participants generally favoured the inclusion of images alongside text, finding them instrumental in enhancing comprehension and making health information more approachable. The preference for simpler and less detailed visuals, such as cartoons, was highlighted, although there was variability depending on literacy levels and cultural backgrounds. The use of colour, layout features (e.g. font type and white space) and content framing (e.g. positive versus negative framing of risk information) were explored for their effects on information reception and behavioural outcomes. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on Māori preferences and requires further research. Overall, this scoping review highlights the importance of designing WPIs with visual elements that cater to diverse literacy levels and cultural preferences to optimize communication effectiveness and patient engagement.

Do patients experience a personalized patient leaflet as personal?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to explore how patients experience the personal nature of a personalized patient leaflet (PPL), and the role of health literacy in patients' experience.

METHODS

A PPL was tailored on patients' characteristics and medical information. Semi-structured interviews were performed to capture patient experiences. Patients were recruited in four community pharmacies. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

In total, 32 participants were interviewed. Over half of them thought they received general information, and thus did not recognize the personal nature. Experience of the personal nature was mainly by patients' medication overview, name and address information and the use of vocative case ('your dosage'). Respondents with adequate health literacy recognized the personalized information better than those with limited health literacy.

CONCLUSION

Patients do not expect medication information leaflets to be personalized. Pharmacy workers should point out the personalized elements of the medicine leaflet during consultation. This might improve patients' recognition, especially for patients with limited health literacy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Recognition of the personal nature may ensure that medicine information is better read and understood, which may positively impact correct use of medication. Patients need support to understand that the leaflet is personalized.

Utility of medicines information leaflets in hypertensive care in a setting with low health literacy: A cross-sectional study

Introduction:

Higher levels of health literacy improve utilization of health information, medication adherence and outcomes. Few studies evaluate the utility of medicines information in hypertensive care in settings with low health literacy.

Aim:

To determine the level of health literacy and utility of medicines information leaflets (MILs) among hypertensive patients in public health care in Namibia.

Methods:

A hospital-based survey among hypertensive patients receiving care at a referral hospital in Namibia from the 8 June 2018 to 29 June 2018. Patient’s health literacy and utility of MIL were assessed using three literacy tools and a survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic content analysis for factors associate with the utility of the MIL.

Results:

Of the 139 patients, 63% were female and the mean age was 45.7 (range: 19.0–84.0) years. Over 85.6% had of low literacy skills (Rapid Estimate of Literacy in Medicine (REALM) score <44, that is, unable to read simple health materials), 38.8% had positive Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS) scores (⩾2, require help to read medicines information) and 66.9% had inadequate skills for comprehension, appraisal and decision-making with regard to health information (Health Literacy Skills Instrument-Short Form (HLSI-SF) score <70%). The level of access to and utility of MIL were low, 32.4% and 34.6%, respectively. The main factors associated with poor utility of the MIL were low patient health literacy, lack of guidelines on the use of MIL and MIL written in non-native languages.

Conclusion:

Low rates of health literacy and utility of MIL were observed among hypertensive patients in Namibia. The integration of health literacy programmes, and MIL guidelines are needed to promote utility of medicine information and improve medication adherence.

Patients’ views of general practitioners’ provision of medicine information leaflets

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONGiving patients medicine information leaflets with oral information could help improve patient understanding about their medicines. Some health professionals believe patients do not want to receive leaflets or find them too difficult to understand so do not provide them. AIMTo investigate Dunedin general practitioners’ (GPs) provision of medicine information leaflets from patients’ reports and to examine patient views about the leaflets provided. METHODSPatients collecting prescriptions from community pharmacies in Dunedin, New Zealand, between December 2016 and February 2017 were asked to complete a survey. Responses were entered into SurveyMonkey and data were exported into Excel for analysis. RESULTSOf the 151 survey respondents, over three-quarters (79%) did not receive a medicine information leaflet from their GP in the last 6 months, although most believed it important to receive one. Many participants felt that leaflets improved their knowledge and helped them take their medication correctly. Most participants liked the leaflets they received, although over half (60%) would like a short summary leaflet. Patients did not commonly search for more information than their GP provided. DISCUSSIONSome patients may not seek further information about their medicines other than during consultation. Although rarely given, most participants who received leaflets from their GP appreciated them. Most participants read and understood leaflets they were provided, although ready access to a one- to two-page summary leaflet may be preferable. Technology could enable GPs to easily provide leaflets to patients in their care.