[Consumer study on the use of patient information leaflets]

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Health Communication
• Patient Education

Context:

• Patient information leaflets (PILs) are crucial for medication adherence and safety.
• The increasing use of the internet for health information necessitates understanding its role alongside traditional resources.
• Assessing patient engagement with digital health information is vital for effective health literacy.

Purpose:

• To determine the reading frequency of patient information leaflets (PILs) and profile the typical reader.
• To evaluate the impact of the internet on patient information-seeking behavior regarding health and medications.
• To assess patient awareness and utilization of the digital PIL and the Federal Agency Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) website.

Summary:

• A survey of 800 respondents revealed that only 25% read the full PIL for new medications.
• Older adults (over 65) and women are more likely to read PILs, though a significant portion of older adults never read them.
• Key sections read are dosage and side effects; warnings (section 2) are often overlooked. Patients rely on doctors and pharmacists for information.
• Over 50% of respondents use the internet for health information, with men less likely to do so. Internet PIL searches are limited, and the FAMHP website is largely unknown.

Impact:

• Findings highlight a significant gap in patient engagement with essential medication information, underscoring the need for improved PIL accessibility and patient education strategies.
• The study suggests a need to promote digital PILs and the FAMHP website to enhance patient access to reliable health information.
• Recommendations include prioritizing patient needs in PIL design and increasing awareness of available digital resources to improve health literacy and medication safety.