Readability of consumer medication information for intranasal corticosteroid inhalers

Steven E. Roskos; Lorraine S. Wallace; Barry D. Weiss

doi:10.2146/ajhp070087

Readability of consumer medication information for intranasal corticosteroid inhalers

Steven E. Roskos, Lorraine S. Wallace, Barry D. Weiss

Family and Community Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose. The readability of consumer medication information (CMI) inserts accompanying intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) inhalers currently prescribed in the United States was studied. Methods. INCS inhalers were identified (n = 7) using Epocrates R_xPro and English-language CMI was obtained from each inhaler's manufacturer. The CMI was evaluated for reading grade level (using Fry's readability formula) and font size, dimensions (length and width), illustrations (diagrams and figures), and directions for use. Results. The mean ± S.D. reading grade level of the CMI was 6.9 ± 0.7 (range, 6-8). The mean ± S.D. font size was 9.0 + 2.2 (range, 6-12). The mean ± S.D. CMI page length and width were 31.3 ± 22.5 cm and 14.0 ± 12.9 cm, respectively. A device-overview figure was included in three of the seven educational samples. The mean size of illustrations was 7.9 cm² (range, 2.9-25.9 cm²), with a mean ± S.D. of 7.6 ± 3.2 (range, 3-11) figures per CMI insert. Directions followed a logical, step-by-step chronological sequence in every CMI insert. Conclusion. Most CMI for INCS inhalers is written at a reading level slightly higher than recommended, printed in a font size smaller than recommended, and illustrated inadequately for successful patient education.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	65-68
Number of pages	4
Journal	American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Volume	65
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp070087
State	Published - Jan 1 2008

Keywords

Drug administration routes
Inhalers
Patient information
Readability
Steroids, cortico-

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health Policy
Pharmacy
Pharmacology

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title = "Readability of consumer medication information for intranasal corticosteroid inhalers",

abstract = "Purpose. The readability of consumer medication information (CMI) inserts accompanying intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) inhalers currently prescribed in the United States was studied. Methods. INCS inhalers were identified (n = 7) using Epocrates RxPro and English-language CMI was obtained from each inhaler's manufacturer. The CMI was evaluated for reading grade level (using Fry's readability formula) and font size, dimensions (length and width), illustrations (diagrams and figures), and directions for use. Results. The mean ± S.D. reading grade level of the CMI was 6.9 ± 0.7 (range, 6-8). The mean ± S.D. font size was 9.0 + 2.2 (range, 6-12). The mean ± S.D. CMI page length and width were 31.3 ± 22.5 cm and 14.0 ± 12.9 cm, respectively. A device-overview figure was included in three of the seven educational samples. The mean size of illustrations was 7.9 cm2 (range, 2.9-25.9 cm2), with a mean ± S.D. of 7.6 ± 3.2 (range, 3-11) figures per CMI insert. Directions followed a logical, step-by-step chronological sequence in every CMI insert. Conclusion. Most CMI for INCS inhalers is written at a reading level slightly higher than recommended, printed in a font size smaller than recommended, and illustrated inadequately for successful patient education.",

keywords = "Drug administration routes, Inhalers, Patient information, Readability, Steroids, cortico-",

author = "Roskos, {Steven E.} and Wallace, {Lorraine S.} and Weiss, {Barry D.}",

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AU - Roskos, Steven E.

AU - Wallace, Lorraine S.

AU - Weiss, Barry D.

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Y1 - 2008/1/1

N2 - Purpose. The readability of consumer medication information (CMI) inserts accompanying intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) inhalers currently prescribed in the United States was studied. Methods. INCS inhalers were identified (n = 7) using Epocrates RxPro and English-language CMI was obtained from each inhaler's manufacturer. The CMI was evaluated for reading grade level (using Fry's readability formula) and font size, dimensions (length and width), illustrations (diagrams and figures), and directions for use. Results. The mean ± S.D. reading grade level of the CMI was 6.9 ± 0.7 (range, 6-8). The mean ± S.D. font size was 9.0 + 2.2 (range, 6-12). The mean ± S.D. CMI page length and width were 31.3 ± 22.5 cm and 14.0 ± 12.9 cm, respectively. A device-overview figure was included in three of the seven educational samples. The mean size of illustrations was 7.9 cm2 (range, 2.9-25.9 cm2), with a mean ± S.D. of 7.6 ± 3.2 (range, 3-11) figures per CMI insert. Directions followed a logical, step-by-step chronological sequence in every CMI insert. Conclusion. Most CMI for INCS inhalers is written at a reading level slightly higher than recommended, printed in a font size smaller than recommended, and illustrated inadequately for successful patient education.

AB - Purpose. The readability of consumer medication information (CMI) inserts accompanying intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) inhalers currently prescribed in the United States was studied. Methods. INCS inhalers were identified (n = 7) using Epocrates RxPro and English-language CMI was obtained from each inhaler's manufacturer. The CMI was evaluated for reading grade level (using Fry's readability formula) and font size, dimensions (length and width), illustrations (diagrams and figures), and directions for use. Results. The mean ± S.D. reading grade level of the CMI was 6.9 ± 0.7 (range, 6-8). The mean ± S.D. font size was 9.0 + 2.2 (range, 6-12). The mean ± S.D. CMI page length and width were 31.3 ± 22.5 cm and 14.0 ± 12.9 cm, respectively. A device-overview figure was included in three of the seven educational samples. The mean size of illustrations was 7.9 cm2 (range, 2.9-25.9 cm2), with a mean ± S.D. of 7.6 ± 3.2 (range, 3-11) figures per CMI insert. Directions followed a logical, step-by-step chronological sequence in every CMI insert. Conclusion. Most CMI for INCS inhalers is written at a reading level slightly higher than recommended, printed in a font size smaller than recommended, and illustrated inadequately for successful patient education.

KW - Drug administration routes

KW - Inhalers

KW - Patient information

KW - Readability

KW - Steroids, cortico-

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Readability of consumer medication information for intranasal corticosteroid inhalers

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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