(1133) Comparison of Redesigned and Existing Patient Information Leaflets on Cosmetics, Convenience, Content, & Credibility in Spanish-speaking Patients

Objectives: Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) are traditionally paper handouts that come with many prescription medicines at first fill. The guides address issues that are specific to drugs and drug classes, and they contain medication information that can help patients use the medicine safe and effectively. PILs are text-heavy documents and often consist of multiple pages or panels of text. Infographs are more engaging due to their visual appeal. They can grab the reader's attention and maintain interest, making them suitable for conveying essential health information in a concise and engaging manner.
A prior study was conducted in English-speaking patients to compare traditional, existing PILs (ePILs) with PILs containing infographics (iPILs). This study found that the iPIL was significantly more effective than the ePIL in patient understanding of precautions while taking their medication and what to avoid while taking their medication. There was also a significant difference in patient preference of the iPIL over the ePIL in terms of cosmetics, convenience, and content but no preference over credibility. This study will expand on the efforts of the previous study to assess the ePIL versus the iPIL amongst Spanish-speaking patients.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional survey study will be conducted in a large independent retail pharmacy setting, El Monte Pharmacy, in El Monte, CA. Patients will be recruited at the pharmacy. Inclusion criteria includes patients age > 18 years, Spanish-speaking, and on at least one chronic medication. The study will be based on voluntary participation. Patients will be randomly assigned an iPIL or ePIL version of the guide. The data to be collected will include a medication knowledge quiz (MKQ) score (Response per question received: 1 pt if correct, 0.5 pt if partially correct, and 0 pts if incorrect), patient preference comparison (overall and in domains of cosmetics, convenience, content, and credibility), and respondent demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, health literacy level, type of insurance, # daily prescriptions). For the purposes of this study, we will be using a survey that was validated in a previous study. The information in the survey and PILs has been translated into Spanish. Patients will have the option to take the survey either by oral or written, depending on the patient’s preference. The survey includes 31-items and is divided into 5 sections:  Medication Knowledge Quiz (MKQ), Preference Questions (cosmetics, convenience, content, credibility, overall), Self-assessment Questions, Health Literacy Questions, Participant Demographics.
The sample will be all participants who complete the survey from November 2023 to February 2024. Using Raosoft sample size calculator, with a 95% confidence level, 5% margin of error, 68,453 population size of Hispanics in the city of El Monte and an estimated response rate of 15%, the estimated sample size for this study at least 200 participants. Descriptive statistics will be used to evaluate participants’ demographics, MKQ, and PIL preference. Independent t-test, chi-square, and correlational analysis will be used to test comparisons and associations.

Results: We will assess and report the participants’ knowledge of their medication, comparing the existing and modified PILs to see which one is preferred, their health literacy, and the respondent’s demographic characteristics. Results in progress.

Conclusions: Our hypothesis is that the iPILs will be more effective and preferred in Spanish-speaking patients to comprehend and manage their medications over ePILs in regards to cosmetics, convenience, content, and credibility. The secondary hypothesis will be the results from this study will be similar to the previous study conducted to further assess the effectiveness of modifying PILs to increase patient comprehension of medication information so that they can make informed healthcare decisions for themselves or for the people they are caring for.