For the accurate recognition and use of prescribed drugs by patients, we developed a system that provides patients with printed drug envelope labels showing a color photo and explanation of each drug based on the physician's instructions.
Based on a questionnaire survey in 116 patients, 929 detailed explanations were thus producedconcerning the items that most patients strongly hope to know such as the drug efficacy, side effects, and interaction. All documents were reviewed by the physicians at our hospital and revised according to their suggestions and requests.
Patient's reactions to this system were examined before the introduction of this system. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of explanations that are easy to understand and this system also was found to help reduce the incidence of patients taking an incorrect dosage.