Medication information for Flemish inpatients with major depression: evaluation and construct validity of the...

Evaluating the quality of written medication information is a major topic of concern when patient pamphlets are developed. The objective of this study is to evaluate a patient pamphlet on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) by calculating Flesch-Douma readability scores and by applying the Consumer Information Rating Form (CIRF) to Flemish inpatients with major depression taking SSRIs.

The pamphlet was evaluated by calculating Flesch-Douma readability scores. The study enrolled patients with major depression taking SSRIs. Patient received a SSRI pamphlet and completed a self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of the adapted CIRF and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Construct validity was explored by means of factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha.

The Flesch-Douma readability scores showed that the pamphlet was easy to read, had much interest in the reader and was very popular. The sample of 96 patients consisted of doubtful/definite cases in terms of anxiety (10.65 +/- 4.90) and doubtful cases in terms of depression (8.91 +/- 5.23). Using the CIRF, patients assigned positive scores to comprehensibility, utility and design quality of the pamphlet. Factor analysis on the original CIRF confirmed the three original factors (P < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha of factors ranged from 0.69 to 0.83.

The SSRI pamphlet is of good quality. Our study supported the construct validity of the CIRF to Flemish inpatients with major depression.