Natalie S Hohmann1, Kimberly B Garza1, Daniel Surry1, Richard A Hansen1, Ilene Harris2, Zippora Kiptanui2, Oluwamurewa Oguntimein3, Mitchell M Frost3, Jingjing Qian4. 1. Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, 020 James E. Foy Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. 2. IMPAQ International LLC, Columbia, MD, 21044, USA. 3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Generic Drugs (OGD), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Bldg. 75, Silver Spring, MD, 20993-0002, USA. 4. Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, 020 James E. Foy Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. Electronic address: jzq0004@auburn.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing prescribing and dispensing of generic drugs, compared to brand drugs, may increase patient access to affordable medications. However, little is known about patients' and caregivers' needs and receptiveness regarding the design of educational materials about generic drugs. METHODS: The research used focus groups of patients and caregivers who were students or employees of one university in the Southeastern U.S. to gather input on the optimal content, format and design, delivery channel, and level of satisfaction for two existing, FDA-developed educational materials about generic drugs (infographic and brochure). RESULTS: Participants stated a need for the materials to modernize their graphics, emphasize generic drug cost-savings for consumers, reduce scare tactics when discussing adverse events, and be disseminated directly from physician's offices and pharmacies. Despite an overall positive impression of the materials, participants wanted more consumer-oriented materials that were tailored to fit the needs of different types of patients/caregivers, including older adults. CONCLUSIONS: This paper discusses how these findings relate to theories of multimedia learning and guidelines for designing health educational materials, as well as implications for the development of tailored generic drug educational materials for use in public health campaigns to improve access to medication therapy.
BACKGROUND: Increasing prescribing and dispensing of generic drugs, compared to brand drugs, may increase patient access to affordable medications. However, little is known about patients' and caregivers' needs and receptiveness regarding the design of educational materials about generic drugs. METHODS: The research used focus groups of patients and caregivers who were students or employees of one university in the Southeastern U.S. to gather input on the optimal content, format and design, delivery channel, and level of satisfaction for two existing, FDA-developed educational materials about generic drugs (infographic and brochure). RESULTS:Participants stated a need for the materials to modernize their graphics, emphasize generic drug cost-savings for consumers, reduce scare tactics when discussing adverse events, and be disseminated directly from physician's offices and pharmacies. Despite an overall positive impression of the materials, participants wanted more consumer-oriented materials that were tailored to fit the needs of different types of patients/caregivers, including older adults. CONCLUSIONS: This paper discusses how these findings relate to theories of multimedia learning and guidelines for designing health educational materials, as well as implications for the development of tailored generic drug educational materials for use in public health campaigns to improve access to medication therapy.
Authors: André Said; Leonard Freudewald; Natalie Parrau; Matthias Ganso; Martin Schulz Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2021-03-19 Impact factor: 1.817