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Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information

Date

2017-08-29

Authors

Fullmann, Kathryn
Blackburn, David
Fenton, Mark
Mansell, Holly

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Hindawi Publishing Corporation

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Article

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Abstract

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 (), risks of serious injury (), serious interactions (), and statements that convey a serious consequence to therapy (). 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.

Description

Copyright © 2017 Kathryn Fullmann et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords

Health Education, Medicine, smog, Patient Education, Health Literacy, Reading, Patient Satisfaction, Medical Research, monographs

Citation

Kathryn Fullmann, David F. Blackburn, Mark E. Fenton, and Holly Mansell, “Readability and Suitability of COPD Consumer Information,” Canadian Respiratory Journal, vol. 2017, Article ID 2945282, 8 pages, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2945282.

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Part Of

Canadian Respiratory Journal, 2017, Vol.2017, 8 pages

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DOI

10.1155/2017/2945282

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