Processing prescription drug information under different conditions of presentation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate individuals' processing of prescription drug information under different conditions of presentation.


METHODS
Videotapes and written materials were used to develop 12 different conditions of presentation and data were collected via a mailed survey methodology. Controlling for respondent age, we studied respondents' perceptions of cognitive effort required to process the information, information overload, and evaluative response to the information. Also, we documented and studied the number of questions reported after exposure to the information.


METHODS
Study materials were mailed to 624 volunteers living in the United States, of which 477 (76.4%) returned completed data forms.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest there is a balance between the need for information at a level sufficient for individuals to make decisions and the need for information that will not overload individuals as they cognitively process it.
Schommer
J C
JC
University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0343, USA. schom010@tc.umn.edu
Doucette
W R
WR
Worley
M M
MM
D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition; D004358:Drug Therapy; D006801:Humans; D005222:Mental Fatigue; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014481:United States; D014743:Videotape Recording
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents