Pictograms in pharmacy

Abstract

This review examines the use of pictograms in health care. Well designed pictograms are simple, clear, graphic symbols able to convey their intended meaning to all patients, including those who are illiterate, elderly or visually impaired. Although some research on the effectiveness of pictograms has not supported the hypothesis that pictograms are beneficial for the acquisition and comprehension of information, most studies investigating health-related applications of pictograms have shown them to be of benefit in the comprehension and recall of instructions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines. However, the success of pictograms as a communication aid in pharmacy depends first on a rigorous design process, followed by well-designed, randomised, controlled trials using an appropriate method of evaluation. The final stage is to investigate the optimal way of using pictograms in practice and to assess their effect on behavioural outcomes, such as compliance. We discuss methodological issues associated with the design process of pictograms, the evaluation of pictograms in practice, reasons for their use in pharmacy and their potential in improving medication compliance. We also report on the positive and negative aspects of various pictograms that have been developed and tested in pharmacy.