TY - JOUR
T1 - Reducing drug self-injection errors
T2 - A randomized trial comparing a "standard" versus "plain language" version of Patient Instructions for Use
AU - Smith, Meredith Y.
AU - Wallace, Lorraine S.
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding for this research was provided by Abbott Laboratories .
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - Background: Many American adults struggle to use and interpret medical-related instructions. Plain language materials have been shown to improve patient understanding and adherence. Objective: The study objective was to compare the effectiveness of a "standard" Patient Instructions for Use (PIFU-standard) with a "plain language" Patient Instructions for Use (PIFU-PL) by testing user comprehension and ability to administer a biologic agent with an auto-injector ("pen"). Methods: A trained research assistant administered sociodemographic items and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine to study participants (. n=50). Next, using a priori random assignment, participants received either PIFU-PL or PIFU-standard. Participants' knowledge of preparation (6 steps) and pre-injection (3 steps) procedures, and demonstrated correctness of self-administration (15 steps) were then evaluated. Results: Participants receiving the PIFU-PL were more likely to correctly describe a greater number of both preparation (4.5±1.3 versus 3.1±1.5, P=0.01) and pre-injection steps (2.4±0.8 versus 1.6±0.6, P=0.01), and demonstrated more correct self-injection steps (13.1±2.1 versus 10.8±4.4, P=0.05) as compared to participants receiving the PIFU-standard. Conclusion: Participants given "plain language" instructions had a significantly better understanding of how to prepare for and self-administer medication with a pen and were consistently more accurate in demonstrating how to self-inject.
AB - Background: Many American adults struggle to use and interpret medical-related instructions. Plain language materials have been shown to improve patient understanding and adherence. Objective: The study objective was to compare the effectiveness of a "standard" Patient Instructions for Use (PIFU-standard) with a "plain language" Patient Instructions for Use (PIFU-PL) by testing user comprehension and ability to administer a biologic agent with an auto-injector ("pen"). Methods: A trained research assistant administered sociodemographic items and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine to study participants (. n=50). Next, using a priori random assignment, participants received either PIFU-PL or PIFU-standard. Participants' knowledge of preparation (6 steps) and pre-injection (3 steps) procedures, and demonstrated correctness of self-administration (15 steps) were then evaluated. Results: Participants receiving the PIFU-PL were more likely to correctly describe a greater number of both preparation (4.5±1.3 versus 3.1±1.5, P=0.01) and pre-injection steps (2.4±0.8 versus 1.6±0.6, P=0.01), and demonstrated more correct self-injection steps (13.1±2.1 versus 10.8±4.4, P=0.05) as compared to participants receiving the PIFU-standard. Conclusion: Participants given "plain language" instructions had a significantly better understanding of how to prepare for and self-administer medication with a pen and were consistently more accurate in demonstrating how to self-inject.
KW - Comprehension
KW - Drug labeling
KW - Health literacy
KW - Medication errors
KW - Patient education as topic/methods
KW - Prescription drugs/administration
KW - Risk reduction behavior
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84884411454&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.10.007
DO - 10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.10.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 23506652
AN - SCOPUS:84884411454
SN - 1551-7411
VL - 9
SP - 621
EP - 625
JO - Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
JF - Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
IS - 5
ER -