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Published on: June 11, 2012
Reducing drug self-injection errors: a randomized trial comparing a "standard" versus "plain language" version of
Meredith Y Smith1, Lorraine S Wallace
1Risk Management, Abbott Laboratories, Bldg AP6C\Dept NJ44, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL 60064, USA.
Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy : RSAP
|March 20, 2013
Summary
Plain language instructions significantly improved patient understanding and self-administration accuracy for biologic auto-injector pens compared to standard instructions. This enhances patient adherence and medical comprehension.
Area of Science:
- Health literacy
- Patient education
- Medical device usability
Background:
- Many American adults face challenges understanding medical instructions.
- Plain language materials are recognized for improving patient comprehension and adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of standard Patient Instructions for Use (PIFU-standard) against plain language Patient Instructions for Use (PIFU-PL).
- To assess user comprehension and self-administration ability of a biologic agent using an auto-injector pen.
Main Methods:
- 50 participants completed sociodemographic items and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine.
- Participants were randomly assigned to receive either PIFU-PL or PIFU-standard.
- Knowledge of preparation and pre-injection steps, and demonstrated correctness of self-administration were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Participants using PIFU-PL showed significantly better understanding of preparation steps (4.5 vs. 3.1, P=0.01) and pre-injection steps (2.4 vs. 1.6, P=0.01).
- Demonstrated self-injection steps were also more accurate with PIFU-PL (13.1 vs. 10.8, P=0.05).
Conclusions:
- Plain language instructions led to significantly better understanding of medication preparation and self-administration.
- Participants demonstrated greater accuracy in self-injecting medication when provided with plain language instructions.
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