Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information
Background. Information leaflets have been shown to positively or negatively impact adherence, depending on their content. The objective of this study was to perform an appraisal of the consumer information provided in COPD inhaler monographs. Methods. COPD inhalers were identified from the Health C...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2017-01-01
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| Series: | Canadian Respiratory Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/2945282 |
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| _version_ | 1832562874331955200 |
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| author | Kathryn Fullmann David F. Blackburn Mark E. Fenton Holly Mansell |
| author_facet | Kathryn Fullmann David F. Blackburn Mark E. Fenton Holly Mansell |
| author_sort | Kathryn Fullmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Information leaflets have been shown to positively or negatively impact adherence, depending on their content. The objective of this study was to perform an appraisal of the consumer information provided in COPD inhaler monographs. Methods. COPD inhalers were identified from the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Medication information and instructions for inhaler use were analyzed for readability by seven formulas, with an acceptability threshold of grades 6–8. Three researchers rated suitability using a modified Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool and assessed leaflets for explicit warnings. Results. Twenty-six inhalers with a COPD indication were evaluated. Medication information sections were rated as “difficult to read” or “hard,” and 85% (22/26) had a reading level above grade 8. The instructions for inhaler use were rated as “easy” or “fairly easy” to read and 63% (16/26) met the threshold by all formulas. While all leaflets achieved superior suitability ratings, extreme warnings included risk of premature death (n=12), risks of serious injury (n=26), serious interactions (n=26), and statements that convey a serious consequence to therapy (n=26). Conclusion. While COPD information leaflets in Canada performed well in terms of readability and suitability, overemphasis on side effects, warnings, and precautions may contribute to patient fear and nonadherence. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-64f094c0ecbb467a9ee53e828294e026 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1198-2241 1916-7245 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Canadian Respiratory Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-64f094c0ecbb467a9ee53e828294e0262025-02-03T01:21:29ZengWileyCanadian Respiratory Journal1198-22411916-72452017-01-01201710.1155/2017/29452822945282Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer InformationKathryn Fullmann0David F. Blackburn1Mark E. Fenton2Holly Mansell3College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaCollege of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaDivision of Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaCollege of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, CanadaBackground. Information leaflets have been shown to positively or negatively impact adherence, depending on their content. The objective of this study was to perform an appraisal of the consumer information provided in COPD inhaler monographs. Methods. COPD inhalers were identified from the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Medication information and instructions for inhaler use were analyzed for readability by seven formulas, with an acceptability threshold of grades 6–8. Three researchers rated suitability using a modified Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool and assessed leaflets for explicit warnings. Results. Twenty-six inhalers with a COPD indication were evaluated. Medication information sections were rated as “difficult to read” or “hard,” and 85% (22/26) had a reading level above grade 8. The instructions for inhaler use were rated as “easy” or “fairly easy” to read and 63% (16/26) met the threshold by all formulas. While all leaflets achieved superior suitability ratings, extreme warnings included risk of premature death (n=12), risks of serious injury (n=26), serious interactions (n=26), and statements that convey a serious consequence to therapy (n=26). Conclusion. While COPD information leaflets in Canada performed well in terms of readability and suitability, overemphasis on side effects, warnings, and precautions may contribute to patient fear and nonadherence.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/2945282 |
| spellingShingle | Kathryn Fullmann David F. Blackburn Mark E. Fenton Holly Mansell Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information Canadian Respiratory Journal |
| title | Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information |
| title_full | Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information |
| title_fullStr | Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information |
| title_full_unstemmed | Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information |
| title_short | Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information |
| title_sort | readability and suitability of copd consumer information |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/2945282 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kathrynfullmann readabilityandsuitabilityofcopdconsumerinformation AT davidfblackburn readabilityandsuitabilityofcopdconsumerinformation AT markefenton readabilityandsuitabilityofcopdconsumerinformation AT hollymansell readabilityandsuitabilityofcopdconsumerinformation |