Stephen W. Hwang|Carolyn Tram|Nadia Knarr
The effect of illustrations on patient comprehension of medication instruction labels
St. Michael's Hospital|University of Toronto|University of Toronto
labels special instructions regarding prescription medication taken possible side effects often applied pill bottles goal study determine whether addition illustrations labels affects patient comprehensionstudy participants n 130 enrolled approaching patients three family practice clinics toronto canada participants asked interpret two sets medication instruction labels first text second text accompanied illustrations two investigators coded participants responses incorrect partially correct completely correct health literacy levels participants measured using validated instrument realm testall participants gave completely correct interpretation three five instruction labels regardless whether illustrations present two complex labels 3455 interpretations textonly version completely correct addition illustrations associated improved performance 57 subjects worsened performance 79 subjectsthe commonlyused illustrations medication labels used study little use improving patients comprehension accompanying written instructions