Journal of Health & Medical Informatics

An Analysis of Volunteer Age and Level of Education on Performance in ‘Readability’ Testing for Patient Information Leaflets (PILs)

Abstract

Craig S. Foster*

 The success and safety of a medicine depends on the clarity and completeness of information given with it. Since July 2005 it has been a requirement in the EU that PILs ‘shall reflect the results of consultations with target patient groups to ensure that it is legible, clear and easy to use’. The ‘User Test’ or Readability Test has been the method of choice for most pharmaceutical companies to fulfil this requirement.