Practicability Meets Intuitive Recognisability: Depicting Drug-Related Problems

Background: To ensure safe drug therapy, drug-related problems (DRPs, e.g. drug-drug interactions) have to be communicated clearly and without delay. Pictograms depicting specific DRPs may facilitate rapid communication in routine clinical practice, e.g. when communicating medication review findings to physicians or nursing staff. Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey amongst healthcare professionals at Leipzig University Hospital. The survey assessed perceived benefits and opinions of pictograms for DRP communication and the intuitive recognisability of newly developed pictograms. All healthcare professionals of Leipzig University Hospital [1,451 beds, 61 (poly)clinics, >6,000 employees] were invited to participate. Results: In total, n=193 participants took part (median age: 38 years, 67% women; 28% physicians, 32% nurses, 41 other healthcare professionals or not specified; median total work experience: 14 years). Overall, 43% of participants already used pictograms or warning lables in their work place. 83% found DRP pictograms” beneficial”. “Faster understanding” (81%), and “simplified communication across language barriers” (70%) were seen as the main advantages when communicating by using DRP pictograms. Newly developed pictograms achieved the highest appropriate interpretation rate for “medication without indication” (90%). Even among participants who considered the pictograms appropriate as presented, correct interpretation varied considerably between DRP categories (95%-14%). Conclusion: Healthcare professionals perceive pictograms as beneficial for communication. However, the risk of misinterpretation is high as intuitive recognisability varies massively between the DRP categories. Therefore, newly developed pictograms should be evaluated and optimised further, preferably in an interprofessional setting.