Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
An Australian Co‐Designed Template for Accessible Medicines Information for People With Intellectual Disability. |
| Authors: |
Bushell, Mary (AUTHOR), Winata, Teresa (AUTHOR), Gillies, Donna (AUTHOR), Barratt, Macey (AUTHOR) |
| Source: |
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. Mar2026, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p1-12. 12p. |
| Subjects: |
Patient education, Health literacy, Patient safety, Research funding, Qualitative research, Focus groups, Interviewing, Readability (Literary style), Judgment sampling, Pharmacy information services, Antidepressants, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Grounded theory, Access to information |
| Geographic Terms: |
Australia |
| Abstract: |
Background: People with intellectual disability often experience barriers to accessing and understanding medicines information, limiting informed decision‐making and safe medicine use. This study aimed to co‐design an accessible, easy‐read medicines information leaflet template using psychotropic medicines as an initial case study. Method: A qualitative constructivist grounded theory approach was used. Six focus groups were conducted (n = 31). Participants reviewed existing medicine leaflets and provided feedback on readability, format, and content. Data was analysed thematically to identify key features required for accessible design. Results: Two core domains were identified: how information is presented and what information is included. Participants prioritised short sentences, large font, supportive visuals, and easy‐read language, alongside practical, personalised content about medicine purpose, dosing, side effects, and help seeking. Conclusions: Co‐designed with people with intellectual disability, this template aims to improve health literacy and support informed medicines use. Policy reform and outcomes focused evaluation are warranted. Lay Summary: People with intellectual disability often take medicines for mental health but are rarely given information they can easily read and understand.Most medicines leaflets are long and use hard words. They often have very few pictures.This makes it hard for people with intellectual disability to use the information to help understand what their medicine is for, how to take it, and what side effects to look out for.In this study, people with intellectual disability co‐designed a new, easy‐to‐read leaflet template they would like to see used for mental health medicines.The leaflet uses short sentences, plain words, large print, and clear pictures, with real people that look like themIt can also include a person's name, dose, and health professional contact detailsAccessible medicines information helps people understand their medicines, take part in decisions about their care, and may reduce medicine‐related harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
