PACKAGE INFORMATION LEAFLETS AS POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE CURATIVE EFFECT (A betegtajekoztatok mint a gyogyhatas lehetseges osszetevoi)

• Authors: Komsa Ildiko , Koteles Ferenc , Bardos Gyorgy
• Languages of publication: HU

Abstracts

EN

The effect of description of curative effects (e.g.: What is XXX and what is it used for?) in package information leaflets (PILs) upon patient's choice was examined. Sections describing the curative effects from PILs of 15 frequently used, freely accessible (OTC) NSAID drugs were extracted and were evaluated in a paper-and-pencil study by 200 university students (38% male; mean age = 19.76, SD = 1.495). Two independent aspects were considered: a) how understandable the given description is, and b) how attractive the drug seems to be based on the description (what would be the chance of choosing it when needed). Using mixed model ANOVA-s, significant differences among the ratings of leaflets both in terms of understandability and attractivity, but no gender main effects and leaflet x gender interactions were found. According to the results of content analysis, the length of the descriptions and the number of effects enumerated were the main sources of the differences. The understandability and attractivity ratings correlated very strongly (r = 0,938, p lower than 0,01). Understandability and content of practical information were the most important factors of choice. The most attractive descriptions were longer than average and listed more effects and symptoms for which the curative can be used. Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) can make benefits (placebo-effect: providing information) and harms (nocebo-effect: descripting side-effects) either. As part of a new approach called intelligent medicine designing, in addition to the side-effects, description of the curative effects as well as positive suggestions should be given to enhance beneficial outcomes and to promote safe and effective use of medicines.

Keywords

EN

INTELLIGENT MEDICINE DESIGNING; OTC-MEDICINES; PATIENT EDUCATION; PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLETS (PILS); POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS; SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF OTC-MEDICINES; SELF-MEDICATION

Discipline

• PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCHOLOGY

• Publisher: Hungarian Association for Psychology
• Journal: Magyar Pszichologiai Szemle (Hungarian Psychological Review)
• Year: 2009
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 629-642
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Komsa Ildiko

author

Koteles Ferenc

author

Bardos Gyorgy

• Ildiko Komsa, no address given, contact the journal editor

Identifiers

CEJSH db identifier

10HUAAAA074123