First read this website before taking part in a test
- • Bookmark this website address. You may need to read this again.
- • If you have any questions, please contact First Read This.
On this website:
- 1 What readability user testing is, and what it is used for
- 2 Before you get involved in a readability user test
- 3 How we test
- 4 Possible questions
- 5 How to contact First Read This
- 6 Further information
1 What readability user testing is, and what it is used for
How many times have you taken home something you bought in a shop and then realised that the instructions were difficult to follow? Now imagine that the instructions are for your prescription drugs. What if you have reading difficulties, or you are elderly or confused?
Every one of the half a billion items of medicine prescribed yearly in the UK has a patient information leaflet. People value the patient information leaflet more than any other source of information except for their doctors (source: MORI Research 2003).
Sometimes it is very tricky to get information across to people. One person's clear wording is another's jargon. Sometimes the side-effects seem too scary. The format causes problems. Readability user testing was developed to solve these problems.
In a Readability user test the patient information leaflet is separately shown to 20 or more members of the public. They can make comments that will lead to improving the patient information leaflet.
Readability user testing is used for:
• Changing patient information leaflets so that people can understand them better.
• Increasing public awareness of medicine and preventing misuse.
2 Before you get involved in a readability user test
The following section contains information on taking part in a readability user test. Please contact First Read This if you have any questions not covered here.
Who can take part?
A readability user test can include people:
• who have no educational qualifications.
• who are elderly.
• who do not use written documents in their
work.
• who find written information difficult (e.g.
who have poor eyesight or are dyslexic)
• who do not normally use medicines.
or simply members of the general public.
We will also be seeking people who have various conditions: for example, if we are testing a patient information leaflet for a high blood pressure tablet we will seek people with high blood pressure.
You cannot take part:
• if you have done a readability user test within the past 6 months.
• if you are a medical doctor or nurse
Sorry, but it keeps it fair. If you were a doctor or a nurse or if you had recently done a readability user test you would find the readability user test too easy.
3 How we test
We use a testing procedure that is accepted as standard in the UK and EU. Everyone is first given a participant consent form to read. Please click here if you would like to look at it now. Signing the form indicates that you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the test.
The interview is recorded on camera with sound. The recording is not shown to anyone other than the interviewer and the medicine company. The recordings are used to check the interviews.
The interviewer will encourage you to relax and be comfortable. You may stop the readability user test at any time.
1. Sign participant consent form if you want to take part.
2. Read the patient information leaflet supplied to you.
3. The interviewer will ask you a question such as: "Can you drive if you are taking this medicine?".
4. Look at the leaflet to find the information, and tell the interviewer your answer.
5. Stages 3 and 4 are repeated for 15 questions; this takes around 25 minutes.
6. The interviewer will ask you for your general opinions of the patient information leaflet.
7. The interviewer will thank you for your participation and you will be paid for your time and expenses.
4 Possible questions
What happens to the results of the readability user test?
• All data is stored securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2003.
• A report is submitted to the health authorities containing the results and participants comments from the readability user test.
• The medicine company will receive suggestions for changing the leaflet based on your comments.
Where does the readability user test take place?
The testing takes place in calm surroundings in the centre of Oxford. There is disabled access and toilet and child changing facilities.
When do the readability user tests take place?
Normally the tests take place during the week, in working hours (between 9am and 5pm)
How much will I be paid for taking part?
Every participant receives £30 for taking part. This is a sum agreed upon because it can cover any costs associated with attendance (e.g. your time, transportation, and in some cases carer support).
Have you got ethical approval?
Yes, this study has received a favourable ethical opinion from an NHS Local Research Ethics Committee (Mid & South Bucks. Ref 07/Q1608/34). First Read This Ltd is an independent research company that specialises in designing and improving instruction pamphlets and patient information leaflets. We do not promote products.
5 How to contact First Read This
If you have further questions not covered by this website, or if you would like to comment on this website please contact First Read This:
Tel: 01865 304052
Email: click here
6 Further information
The Royal National Institute for the Blind Medicines Information Line is free to use and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: telephone 0800 198 5000.
X-PIL ensures that patient information leaflets (PILs) supplied with medicines are accessible to everyone, including those with sight problems.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines are acceptably safe. They have several pages about PILs.
The UK National Health Service (NHS) have released interesting statistics on prescriptions.
The Communication Research Institute (Australia) is the brainchild of David Sless, who invented the 'Australian method' of PIL user testing that is the standard accepted by authorities today.