The impact of textual elements on the comprehensibility of drug label instructions (DLIs): A systematic review

Introduction Correct interpretation of drug labels instructions (DLIs) is needed for safe use and better adherence to prescribed drugs. DLIs are often too difficult for patients, especially for those with limited health literacy. What is yet unknown, is how specific textual elements in DLIs (e.g., the presentation of numbers, or use of medical jargon) and patients’ health literacy skills are related to the comprehension of DLIs. In order to provide concrete directions for health professionals on how to optimize drug prescriptions, we performed a systematic review to summarize the available research findings on which textual elements facilitate or hinder the correct interpretation of DLIs in relation to patients’ health literacy. Method A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Smartcat (until April 2019) to identify studies investigating textual elements that facilitate or hinder the correct interpretation of DLIs in relation to patients’ health literacy. Results A total of 434 studies were identified of which 28 studies met our inclusion criteria. We found that textual elements contributing to the correct interpretation of DLIs were: using explicit time periods in dosage instructions, using plain language, presenting numbers in a numerical format, and providing DLIs in patients’ native language. Multistep instructions per instruction line, using abbreviations and medical jargon seem to hinder the correct interpretation of DLIs. Although health literacy was taken into account in a majority of the studies, none of them assessed the effectiveness of specific textual elements on patients’ comprehensibility of DLIs. Conclusion Based on our findings, we provide an overview of textual elements that contribute to the correct interpretation of DLIs. Optimizing the textual instruction on drug labels may increase the safety and adherence to prescribed drugs, taking into account that a significant proportion of patients has low health literacy.

Scientific Language in the Latin Qur'ans of Robert of Ketton and Mark of Toledo

This paper centres on the Latin translations of the Qur'an by Robert of Ketton (d. 1142–1143) and Mark of Toledo (d. 1209), as viewed within the context of their earlier translations of scientific works. In previous scholarship, the Latin Qur'ans of Robert of Ketton and Mark of Toledo have been studied with respect to linguistic features and considered separately from their translations of astrological and medical texts. This paper proposes to reunite these strands of translation activity by examining the ways in which scientific discourse influenced these Latin translations of the Qur'an. The paper demonstrates that the translators incorporated their scientific expertise into their translations of the Qur'an by employing terminology specific to their respective fields of astrology and medicine. On the basis of this new evidence, it is argued that Robert of Ketton sought to promote the study of astrology and astronomy, while Mark of Toledo's use of medical jargon formed part of a calculated polemical strategy in which he portrayed the spread of Islam as a disease to be treated by a physician.

السمنة المرضيّة وعلاجها وفق المقاصد الشرعيّة

The focus of this article is a phenomenon called ‘morbid obesity’ in the medical jargon. Morbid obesity is considered one of the diseases affecting many people in the society. Recently, it continues to threaten the life of the people, to the extent of becoming ruin of many and causing their untimely death. Thus, the team of the researchers seek to explain the concept of morbid obesity and the treatment of its victims in the light of Islamic legal objectives, which should be reckoned with in all matters embarked upon by any believer in oneness of Allah. In a short and simple definition, morbid obesity is excessive fatness associated with diseases like heart diseases, rheumatism and lung diseases. This article, among other things, deals with the topic in question, based on three main headings. First is the is the explanation of the concept of morbid obesity. While the second is the definition of higher objectives of Islamic law, the third is concerned with the analysis of the approach of Islamic legal objectives in respect of the treatment of the victims of morbid obesity. إنّ بؤرة اهتمام هذا المقال ظاهرة يقال لها، في المصطلح الطبيّ، السمنة المرضيّة. فالأخيرة تعتبر أحد الأمراض التي تصيب الناس في المجتمع؛ فهي تظلّ تتهدّد حياة الكثير في الأزمنة الأخيرة، حتّى يتمّ بسببها هلاك بعض الناس ووفاتهم المبكّرة. وعلى هذا، يتحرّى الباحثون فريق العمل، من خلال هذه الورقة، بيان مفهوم السمنة المرضيّة وعلاج ضحاياها على ضوء المقاصد الشرعية- التي لا بدّ أن تؤخذ في الاعتبار في كلّ الإجراءات التي يمكن أن يخوض فيها المرء الذي يؤمن بالله وحده. إنّ موجز وأبسط التعريف لهذا المفهوم هو أنّه عبارة عن السمنة الزائدة المصحوبة بالأمراض مثل أمراض القلب والمفاصل والرئتين. يتناول هذا المقال الموضوع متمركزا على مباحث ثلاثة: بيان مفهوم السمنة المرضيّة، فالتعريف بالمقاصد الشرعية، ثمّ تشخيص مقاربة المقاصد الشرعيّة حيال علاج ضحايا السمنة المرضيّة.