title: Patient information leaflets--patients' comprehension of information about interactions and contraindications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine how well patients could correctly recognize and comprehend the various information items on patient information leaflets, and to explore the reasons underlying poor comprehensibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Leaflets from 30 randomly selected, commonly prescribed medicines were examined by experts using protocols to evaluate leaflet layout, language and content. The same leaflets were also evaluated by patients who had their medicines dispensed at 24 randomly selected Swedish pharmacies. A questionnaire was used for the patients' examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that most information on the leaflets is sound and is well comprehended by the patients. For two information items regarding 'risks of interactions' and 'contraindications' the patient scores were low, indicating poor comprehensibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leaflets with low scores on warnings of interactions and contraindications were found to deliver more complex messages to older patients as compared to leaflets with high scores for these items.
authors.affiliation: Apoteket J. J. Berzelius, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kälvemark
authors.forename: Gunvor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: J Lars G
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032882:Comprehension; D000075202:Contraindications; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004348:Drug Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations