Pictograms: Can they help patients recall medication safety instructions?

Authors

  • Louis Del Re, B.Sc
  • Dr. Régis Vaillancourt, Pharm D, B, Pharm
  • Dr. Gilda Villarreal, PhD, MHA
  • Dr. Annie Pouliot, PhD

Abstract

Objectives: The effectiveness of pictograms to enhance the recall of information through a review of the literature was evaluated. Methodology: A search was conducted using "Pictogram" AND "Recall" on PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Knowledge databases. Additional searches were conducted on the above-mentioned databases and on Google Scholar using various combinations of key words "pictorial", "picture", "aid", "memory" and "medication". The main inclusion criterion was recall measurement. Results: Nineteen articles were analyzed. Ten studies measured immediate/short-term recall; five compared immediate/short-term to long-term recall; and four measured only long-term recall. Eight measured cued recall of pictograms and eleven measured free recall. Three studies failed to support pictograms as means to enhance recall for all subjects regardless of demographic characteristics. Recall abilities of elderly participants were lower than young individuals. Literacy level, education level, prior knowledge, and cultural familiarity are factors that may influence pictogram recall. Conclusion: Pictograms enhance patients' recall of information. Professionals using pictograms in healthcare settings should consider 1) educating patients about pictograms; 2) providing patients with pictorial cues; 3) measuring free recall with "true" method; 4) assessing patient's reading, education level, and prior knowledge of pictograms; 5) using text and pictograms; 6) and having special considerations for the elderly.

Author Biography

  • Louis Del Re, B.Sc
    Louis Del Re graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2014, with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Health Sciences and Minor in Business Administration. During his final year of university, Louis became intrigued by the research conducted at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute (Pharmacy Department), regarding patient education and communication. His research experience at CHEO and interdisciplinary education in health, science and business, sparked an interest in the business world of medical communication. Louis kick started his career in May of 2014, joining the client services team at FCB Health (Toronto), a pharmaceutical advertising agency.;Dr. Régis Vaillancourt is a Clinical Investigator at the CHEO Research Institute, and the director of the Pharmacy department at CHEO. He is a specialist in the field of pharmacy and has been extensively recognized through numerous awards and appointments, such as being named the Canadian Pharmacist of the Year (2004) and being awarded the Order of Military Merit by former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. Dr. Vaillancourt has been published extensively in different areas of pharmacy practice, with a focus on health literacy. His degrees/designations include: OMM, CD, B.Pharm, Pharm D, FCSHP.;Gilda Villarreal, PhD, MHA, combines a Masters in Health Care Administration (Ottawa University) with PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México). Her post-doctoral fellowship was done at the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland under the supervision of Dr. Sharon Wahl. Gilda's interests are in knowledge translation and research metrics. She currently works at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.;Annie Pouliot earned a Master's degree in community health & epidemiology focusing on health in developing countries and a PhD in population health with a focus on health discourse, power relationships in health promotion and communication. In her capacity as a research manager she supports the development of research initiatives within the department of pharmacy, provides guidance to pharmacist conducting research. Present research interests include pediatric health literacy, medication literacy, health education and communication, qualitative evidence mapping and rapid review methodologies.

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Published

2016-04-01

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Section

Journal Article