Drug information leaflets: adolescent and professional perspectives

This study was undertaken to evaluate a range of drug information leaflets from both an adolescent and professional perspective. 72 adolescents were interviewed in focus groups within school settings. Fifteen paediatricians were also interviewed individually. Participants were asked to consider the leaflets under the following categories: initial impact, content and overall suitability for adolescents. Paediatricians were not good judges of which leaflets would appeal to adolescents. They tended to choose the leaflets with comic strip illustrations and those written in a 'cool' or witty style. In contrast the adolescents seemed to prefer a more sober approach with high quality factual information combined with clear illustrations.