Abstract
This experiment investigated the readability of medication labels using various combinations of fonts, sizes, and weights of print. Older and younger adult reading speeds and error rates for different print types were compared for both bottle and flat labels. Findings of the study indicated significant differences in reading speed, error rates, and subjective evaluations for print characteristics investigated. Furthermore, the effects of these print characteristics varied for different age groups. Implications of these findings for the design of medication labels for older adults are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beldie, I. P., Pastoor, S., & Schwarz, E. (1983). Fixed versus variable letter width for televised text.Human Factors, 25, 273–277.
FMC Corporation (1985).Product safety sign and label system. Santa Clara, CA: FMC Corp.
Krulee, G. K., & Novy, F. (1986). Word processing and effects of variability in type fonts.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 62, 999–1010.
Leirer, V. O., Morrow, D. G., Pariante, G. M., & Sheikh, J. I. (1988). Elders' nonadherence, its assessment, and computer assisted instruction for medication recall training.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 36, 877–884.
Moore, S. R., Kalu, M., & Yavaprabbas, S. (1983). Receipt of prescription drug information by the elderly.Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy, 17, 920–923.
Morrell, R. W., Park, D. C., & Poon, L. W. (1990). Effects of labelling techniques on memory and comprehension of prescription information in young and older adults.Journal of Gerontology, 45, 166–172.
Morrow, D. G., Leirer, V. O., & Sheikh, J. I. (1988). Adherence and medication instructions: Review and recommendations.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 36, 1147–1160.
Park, D. C., Morrell, R. W., Frieske, D., & Kinkaid, D. (1992). Medication adherence behaviors in older adults: Effects of external cognitive supports.Psychology and Aging, 7(2), 252–256.
Paterson, D. G., & Tinker, M. A. (1940).How to make type readable. New York: Harper.
Payne, D. E. (1967). Readability of typewritten material: Proportional versus standard spacing.Journal of Typographic Research, 1(2).
Poulton, E. C. (1959). Effects of printing types and formats on the comprehension of scientific journals.Nature, 184, 1824–1825.
Poulton, E. C. (1969). Skimming lists of food ingredients printed in different sizes.Journal of Applied Psychology, 53, 55–58.
Ralph, J. B. (1982). A geriatric visual concern: The need for publishing guidelines.Journal of the American Optometric Association, 53(1), 43–50.
Tinker, M. A. (1963).Legibility of print. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Vanderplas, J. M., & Vanderplas, J. H. (1980). Some factors affecting legibility of printed materials for older adults.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 50, 923–932.
Zuccollo, G., & Liddell, H. (1985). The elderly and the medication label: Doing it better.Age and Aging, 14, 371–376.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smither, J.AA., Braun, C.C. Readability of prescription drug labels by older and younger adults. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 1, 149–159 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01999743
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01999743