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Comparison of consumer-oriented books on medications
Patient Education and Counseling
|December 12, 1983
Summary
This study compared 15 consumer health books on prescription medications. It found significant variation in readability, drug coverage, and information completeness, aiding informed consumer choices.
Area of Science:
- Health Literacy
- Consumer Health Information
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Growing consumer demand for accessible health care information.
- Need for reliable resources to guide patients in understanding prescription medications.
- Healthcare professionals require objective data to recommend suitable consumer health books.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate consumer-oriented books on prescription drugs.
- To compare books based on readability, drug coverage, monograph completeness, and price.
- To provide data for informed selection of medication information resources.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 15 consumer books on prescription medications.
- Analyzed readability using grade level scores (9.2-14.3).
- Quantified drug coverage (135-1,200 drugs) and monograph completeness (21.4%-76.7%).
- Recorded book prices ($2.50-$19.95).
Main Results:
- Significant variability observed in all assessed factors.
- Readability scores indicate a high school to college reading level.
- Drug information completeness varied widely, with some books covering less than a quarter of standard monograph content.
Conclusions:
- No single book excelled in all evaluated aspects.
- Objective comparisons are crucial for selecting effective consumer medication resources.
- Consumers and healthcare providers can utilize these findings to make informed decisions.