Patient assessment of medication information leaflets and validation of the Evaluative Linguistic Framework (ELF).
OBJECTIVE
To obtain patient feedback about the structure and quality of medication information leaflets and validate the usefulness of the Evaluative Linguistic Framework (ELF) for improving written communication with patients.


METHODS
Triangulated feedback about a set of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication leaflets, some developed with knowledge of the ELF, was obtained from 27 people with RA from interviews, focus group discussion and self-administered questionnaires. The principal elements of the framework were investigated: overall generic structure and functions of each stage, interpersonal relationship between writer and reader, technicality of language and density of information.


RESULTS
Participant assessments of the leaflets aligned with the framework in terms of what constituted a good leaflet. While the main purpose of the leaflets was identified as being information provision, participants also wanted clear instructions, benefits to be highlighted and side effects to be comprehensively listed. For comprehensiveness and user-friendliness, leaflets developed with guidance of the ELF were consistently preferred.


CONCLUSIONS
According to people with RA, leaflets generated from a linguistic framework are clearer and more effective in communicating information about medications.


CONCLUSIONS
The ELF is a user-friendly, structured analytic system that can assist with the development of effective high quality patient information materials.
Hirsh
Di
D
Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Cabrini Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Clerehan
Rosemary
R
Staples
Margaret
M
Osborne
Richard H
RH
Buchbinder
Rachelle
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004348:Drug Labeling; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008037:Linguistics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents