Results: Most people do not value the written
information they receive. They had concerns about the
use of complex language and poor visual presentation
and in most cases the research showed that the
information did not increase knowledge. The research
showed that patients valued written information that
was tailored to their individual circumstances and
illness, and that contained a balance of harm and
benefit information. Most patients wanted to know
about any adverse effects that could arise. Patients
require information to help decision-making about
whether to take a medicine or not and (once taking a
medicine) with ongoing decisions about the
management of the medicine and interpreting
symptoms. Patients did not want written information to
be a substitute for spoken information from their
prescriber. While not everyone wanted written
information, those who did wanted sufficient detail to
meet their need. Some health professionals thought
that written information for patients should be brief
and simple, with concerns about providing side-effect
information. They saw increasing compliance as a
prime function, in contrast to patients who saw an
informed decision not to take a medicine as an
acceptable outcome.