Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLETS (PIL) USEFULNESS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES- A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Mini Johnson Christudas, Noel M. Isaac*, Adepu Ramesh, Niphy Annie Varghese, Lisa Sara Abraham, Justin Kurian and Narahari M. G.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the influence of PILs on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) in patients suffering from selected chronic diseases. Methods: Eligible patients upon giving written informed consent were randomized in to test and control groups. Information leaflets were developed on selected diseases using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) readability score and Baker Able Leaflet Design (BALD) criteria for leaflet layout and design. Research pharmacists provided the disease and medication specific education to the patients in test group complimenting with the disease specific patient information leaflet. However patients in the control group have received only educational instructions regarding the diseases. Validated Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire was applied on all the recruited patients at baseline and also on every follow up with a gap of two months between two follow ups. The Patient Information Leaflet Usefulness Assessment Questionnaire (PILUAQ) was applied on patients in the test group at last follow-up for evaluating the usefulness of patient information leaflets. Results: From our study we observed that the post-KAP scores obtained from patients with a comorbid condition, disease complications or those aging greater than sixty years were found to be significantly higher in comparison to their pre-KAP scores. The results obtained from this study concluded that PILs when provided along with counseling significantly improved the KAP scores in the study population in test group compared to control group.

Keywords: Patient Information Leaflets, Knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire, Patient Information Leaflets Usefulness Assessment Questionnaires (PILUAQ).