Improving the legibility of prescription medication labels for older adults and adults with visual impairment.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Most current prescription labels fail to meet print guidelines, especially in print size. We therefore compared the legibility of current prescription medication labels against the legibility of prototype labels, based on current guidelines for legibility.

Method

Sample medication labels were obtained from pharmacies, and prototype medication labels were developed according to legibility guidelines from nongovernmental organizations and pharmacy organizations. Three groups of participants, consisting of older adults with normal vision, older adults with visual impairment and younger adults with visual impairment (total N = 71) took part. Participants were asked to read and rank the labels. Reading speed and accuracy were determined.

Results

Accuracies were

SUBMITTER: Leat SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4860753 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature