2021
How Do Patient Information Leaflets In Australia Create Awareness?
Patients may want more information about their medications. This information is not mandatory but should be included in order to improve its provision. Make sure you read the information at the intersection of medical device, patient brochure and implanted patient card.
Patient Information Leaflets in Australia (PILs) are supplied with medicines to improve the knowledge of patients medicines increase the safe use of medicines, act as reference sources, enable patients to make informed decisions about the use of medicines and contribute to patient-oriented care. While some health experts are concerned that the reading of PILs could lead to anxiety and non-compliance, studies have shown that the majority of patients are not affected and are satisfied that they have received leaflets with risk information even if they have not.
In order to address the future needs of patients, it is desirable to improve the content of patient information sheets and it is important to examine various forms of information transmission to patients, for example by providing information integrated into other e-health services. One positive effect of electronic patient information sheets is that information can be updated more frequently, although it can take years to reach patients. The use of these leaflets offers the opportunity to increase access to mobile devices and increase user-friendliness by allowing patients to change font sizes and use audio versions of texts when explaining complicated medical terms. Other possible effects are that more countries share the same drug packages and the unnecessary disposal of drugs is minimised. Acceptance and usability of written information should be evaluated prior to distribution to patients.
Health literacy is not only a question of access to information but also an important component. Many people need help to find, understand and act on health information, especially written information. A person with health literacy has enough knowledge and skills to deal with information from the health system on demand, communicate with health professionals, make the appropriate use of health services and contribute to the optimal management of their own disorders. Patients with good health literacy can act as advisors and mentors to other patients with long-term illnesses thereby contributing to the dissemination of best practices and improving disease management.
Health-competent patients need access to appropriate information in order to participate effectively in their healthcare. Qualitative studies have highlighted the potential of this platform to improve patients’ willingness to take long-term medicines and to train people with low health literacy.
Belief in treatment is based on necessity, not a concern. The idea of necessity is derived in patients who are informed about the need for therapy from the perception of the disease, for example, the severity of symptoms that can stimulate the use of drugs. As a result, when the condition and its controllability coincide, their expectations prevail.
