A randomized trial of pictorial versus prose-based medication information pamphlets.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to compare prose and pictorial-based information pamphlets about the medication methotrexate in the domains of free recall, cued recall, comprehension and utility.


METHODS
A single blind, randomized trial of picture versus prose-based information pamphlets including 100 participants aged 18-65 years of age, who had not completed high school, could read English, and had no prior knowledge about methotrexate. Superiority of pamphlet type was assessed using immediate free recall, cued recall and comprehension.


RESULTS
There were no differences between picture and prose pamphlets in free recall, cued recall, and comprehension either immediately or after a 1-week interval. Immediate free recall of important information was 17-26%; free recall fell even lower to 7-16% after 1 week. The pictorial pamphlet was preferred over the prose-based pamphlet.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found no benefit in free recall, cued recall, or comprehension through the addition of pictograms to a simple prose-based medication pamphlet.


CONCLUSIONS
In order for them to be effective in clinical practice, even simple medication information pamphlets that have been assessed for patients' ability to comprehend them cannot be used as the sole means for conveying important medication-related information to patients.
Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. andy.thompson@rogers.com
Andrew E
AE
Thompson
Mark A
MA
Goldszmidt
Alan J
AJ
Schwartz
Philip G
PG
Bashook
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D032882:Comprehension; D004346:Drug Information Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008727:Methotrexate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011932:Reading; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult
D055553:Prescription Drugs; D008727:Methotrexate