Using the Readability Assessment Instrument to Evaluate Patient Medication Leaflets

Abstract

Seven phenytoin information leaflets were evaluated for their readability using the Singh Readability Assessment Instrument (RAIN). These evaluations were performed to ascertain if the variable criteria of the RAIN, developed to assess the readability of patient information brochures, were appropriate for evaluating the readability of medication information leaflets. Leaflets were scored in terms of eight variables identified by reading researchers as facilitating comprehension: global coherence, local coherence, unity, audience appropriateness, adjunct questions, writing style, illustrations, and typography. A scoring criterion of 80% adherence on most variables was considered acceptable. The American Association of Retired Persons leaflet was found to be acceptable. Five of the leaflets failed to meet RAIN criteria for audience appropriateness, adjunct questions, illustrations, and typography. Results support the RAIN as a useful tool for evaluating and optimizing the readability of medication information leaflets.