The production of leaflets on psychiatric medication for patients with learning disabilities was the subject of the runner-up project in the shared care category. |
Part of a leaflet on risperidone |
The project team involved people with learning disabilities at all stages of the process. When they used structured interviews to elicit patient perception of medicines use, the team found that 13 of the 21 people interviewed were unable to read the manufacturers' patient information leaflets supplied with their medicines, but 20 of the 21 wanted to receive information in an accessible form.
A number of draft leaflets were produced and piloted with a similar group of people with learning disabilities. One finding was that even those with only basic general reading skills could recognise medical words such as "carbamazepine" and "paranoia". They could also understand concepts such as "side effects" but were confused if there were too many facts.
In the light of this consultation, second drafts of the leaflets were produced using large sans serif text, simple sentence construction and illustrations from a picture bank designed for people with learning difficulties. In all, eight leaflets were produced, each concerned with a single drug or no more than three related drugs.
The project team then undertook a randomised controlled trial to examine the effect of introducing the leaflets to people with mild to moderate learning disabilities. This led the team to develop guidelines in the use of the leaflets. Plans are now in hand to make the leaflets available nationally. Distribution has been arranged through the Elfrida Society.
The team says that its experience may help others who wish to provide accessible information about medicines for people with other disabilities, such as those with reduced visual capacity, or for older people, who may benefit from an approach other than close print.