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. 2016 Apr-Jun;14(2):702.
doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2016.02.702. Epub 2016 Jun 15.

Patients' views on electronic patient information leaflets

Tora Hammar  1 , Anna-Lena Nilsson  2 , Bo Hovstadius  3
Affiliations

Patients' views on electronic patient information leaflets

Tora Hammar et al. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2016 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Information in society and in health care is currently undergoing a transition from paper to digital formats, and the main source of information will probably be electronic in the future.

Objective: To explore patients' use and perceptions of the patient information leaflet included in the medication package, and their attitude towards a transition to an electronic version.

Methods: The data was collected during October to November 2014 among individuals in South-Eastern Sweden, using a questionnaire (n=406, response rate 78%) and interviews (n=15).

Results: The questionnaire showed that the majority of the respondents (52%) occasionally read the patient information leaflet, 37% always read it, and 11% never read it. Almost half of the patients (41%) were positive towards reading the patient information leaflet electronically while 32% were hesitant and 26% neutral. A majority of the patients would request to get the patient information leaflet printed at the pharmacy if it was not included in the package. There were differences in attitude related to age and gender. The interviews showed that patients had mixed views on a transition to an electronic patient information leaflet. The patients perceived several positive aspects with an electronic patient information leaflet but were concerned about elderly patients.

Conclusion: Although many were positive towards reading the patient information leaflet electronically, the majority prefer the patient information leaflet in paper form. Providing appropriate and useful eHealth services for patients to access the patient information leaflet electronically, along with education, could prepare patients for a transition to electronic patient information leaflet.

Keywords: Drug Labeling; Patient Education as Topic; Patient Medication Knowledge; Pharmacies; Qualitative Research; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; Telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Answers to the question “How often do you read the information on the patient information leaflet?”, according to gender (left) and age group (right).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Answers to the multiple-choice question “How would you prefer to receive the information currently provided in the patient information leaflet?” with four alternatives. Some of the respondents chose several alternatives.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Answers to the question “How would you feel about reading the patient information leaflet electronically on a computer, phone or tablet?” according to gender (left) and age group (right).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Answers to the question “If the patient information leaflet was not included in the medication package, would you ask to get it printed at the pharmacy?” according to gender (left) and age group (right).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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