Drug information in psychiatric hospitals in Flanders: a study of patient-oriented leaflets.
OBJECTIVE
This study reviews written information sources that inform patients about their drugs used in psychiatric institutions in Flanders.


METHODS
Pharmacists working in psychiatry were asked to participate. Seven leaflets were collected and evaluated using the Flesh readability formula and twelve hospital pharmacists scored ten propositions on a Likert scale. Questionnaires were mailed to the participants.


RESULTS
There was wide variation within the three readability parameters: reading ease varied from easy to difficult, personal interest from tedious/scientific to very interesting/illustrated magazines and the quick reading test varied from formal to very popular. Two brochures were tedious and formal. As to the content, only three were significantly considered 'very interesting for patients' (P < 0.05). Most were found to be clear and not too long. Concrete information about administration, dosage and duration of therapy appeared to be absent from several leaflets. Adverse effects and possible complications were thought to be well rendered in most screened sources. According to the respondents, the role of the pharmacist was not sufficiently mentioned.


CONCLUSIONS
Only three leaflets appeared to be suitable as a patient-oriented information tool. Pharmacists in psychiatric institutions can contribute to patient counselling by providing high-quality leaflets.
Zwaenepoel
Lieven
L
Division of Drug and Patient Information, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven, E. Van Evenstraat 4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. lieven.zwaenepoel@pharm.kuleuven.ac.be
Laekeman
Gert
G
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001530:Belgium; D032882:Comprehension; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010595:Pharmacists
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents