Key Takeaway:
- A recent one-third of adults study shows that many struggle to understand medical instructions, which increases the risk of medication errors.
- Unclear prescription labels and brief doctor visits often lead to confusion about dosage, timing, and usage.
- Researchers urge healthcare providers to simplify communication and standardize medication instructions to improve patient safety.
According to a new study published Wednesday, one-third of adults study reveals that many middle-aged Americans struggle to understand health information and medication instructions. This finding raises concerns about patient safety and highlights the urgent need for clearer communication from healthcare providers.
Researchers Highlight Widespread Health Literacy Challenges
The one-third of adults study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, examined 942 primary care patients with an average age of 52. Researchers found that many participants struggled to recall information from a simulated doctor visit, interpret standard health materials, and correctly follow prescription instructions.
The findings suggest that misunderstandings about healthcare information remain common even among people who regularly interact with the medical system and manage chronic conditions.
“Our study was able to really provide some validation to people,” said Abigail Vogeley, a research fellow and doctoral student at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “They’re not alone in being confused by the healthcare system and by medications.”
Vogeley said patients often encounter inconsistent labeling practices and unclear wording on prescription bottles, making it harder to understand how medications should be taken.
“Some of the warnings are maybe written differently or in different places that patients don’t think to look,” she said. “It’s a uniformity problem.”
Short Visits and Complex Instructions Fuel Confusion
Researchers asked participants to complete tasks designed to measure health literacy, including recalling details from a mock diagnosis and interpreting information from a prescription label.
Many participants struggled to remember important details just 10 minutes after receiving a diagnosis. Others misinterpreted medication directions because of nuanced language or unclear instructions.
Dr. Michael Wolf, a professor of medicine and director of Northwestern University’s Center for Applied Health Research on Aging, said limited time during medical appointments can make it difficult for patients to absorb important information.
People generally want to follow instructions correctly, Wolf said, but complicated language and rushed consultations can create barriers to understanding.
Healthcare experts say patients may hesitate to ask questions when directions are unclear.
“When you take a prescription, if you take it with food, how often and even what it is for can get lost in communication,” said Dr. Jan Carney, president of the American College of Physicians and professor of medicine at the University of Vermont.
Medication Errors Can Affect Safety and Treatment
The one-third of adults study reported that misunderstandings can cause patients to take too much or too little medication, combine drugs improperly, or increase their risk of side effects.
Vogeley said confusion about timing can also affect treatment. For example, a patient prescribed a diuretic may take it in the evening instead of the morning, leading to disrupted sleep.
Stefanie Ferreri, a professor of pharmacy practice at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said unclear instructions can cause patients to create unnecessarily complicated medication schedules.
The one-third of adults study found that some people spread doses throughout the day or even wake up during the night to take medication when it is not required.
“How do you sustain that behavior if you’re literally having to take medications up to seven times a day,” Wolf said.
Researchers emphasized that the findings should not be viewed as a failure by patients. Instead, they said healthcare systems should improve communication, standardize prescription labeling, and encourage patients to ask questions about their treatment plans.
The study’s authors said clearer instructions and stronger collaboration between providers and patients could help reduce medication errors and improve health outcomes.
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