Effect of information organization on recall of medication instructions

Abstract

This study compared immediate recall of prescription information when the message content was presented in a highly organized format versus a less-organized approach. Two groups of pharmacy students viewed separate videotapes, which described information for a patient about three fictitious medications. Students were then asked to recall the medications' name, colour, purpose, dosage, duration, side-effects and quantity prescribed. Students who viewed the organized version correctly recalled more information in every category except drug colour. Both groups made more errors in recalling dosage than any other category. Thus, organizing information facilitates recall of medication information.