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Automatic Quantification of Abbreviations in Medicine Package Leaflets and Their Comprehension Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Carla Pires

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Fernando Martins

    (School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Afonso Cavaco

    (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Marina Vigário

    (School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Medication errors occur as a consequence of misunderstandings with abbreviations and symbols (A&S). According to pharmaceutical regulations, A&S should be avoided in medicine package leaflets (PLs). Using a sample of 531 Portuguese PLs, this study aims at: quantifying A&S in PLs, comparing how A&S were distributed, identifying non-recommended units of measure, checking whether the full meaning of abbreviations was presented, and determining educated peoples' interpretation of A&S. A computational tool was used to identify A&S. Participants' comprehension was evaluated with a questionnaire. Overall, 828 different A&S were identified. PLs of prescribing medicines contained a significantly higher proportion of A&S than PLs of over-the-counter medicines (chi-square = 13.4; p = 0.004). A&S with their meaning not fully described and units of measure with a non-recommended format were identified. Only 9.9% of the questionnaire answers were correct. Portuguese PLs may need to be revised. The software used is appropriate to checking A&S in PLs.

Suggested Citation

  • Carla Pires & Fernando Martins & Afonso Cavaco & Marina Vigário, 2017. "Automatic Quantification of Abbreviations in Medicine Package Leaflets and Their Comprehension Assessment," International Journal of E-Health and Medical Communications (IJEHMC), IGI Global, vol. 8(2), pages 47-64, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:igg:jehmc0:v:8:y:2017:i:2:p:47-64
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