Development of Drug Labels for People with Visual Loss

Abstract

Objective: To develop drug labels for visually impaired patients by using VOICEYE code enabling patient with visual impairment to scan the code on labels by themselves with their smartphones to get complete drug information. Methods: The researchers designed drug labels using VOICEYE maker for MS-Word for 7 containers including boxes, zipper bags, cylindrical bottles, flat bottles, cylindrical pill containers with 3 sizes (small, medium and large). Usability testing was conducted in 5 blinds in each round and the labels were improved accordingly until achieving the goals of 100 % success rate for scanning and reading labels by the blinds, spending task time for less than 5 minutes per scanning, and having mean satisfaction more than 3.5 (from full score of 5) in all evaluated domains. Subsequently, drug labels were tested in 20 visually impaired people for success rate of scanning and reading the labels with smartphones, task time and satisfaction among subjects towards the labels. Results: Eighteen visually impaired people (90%) could successfully scan VOICEYE code with an average task time of 3 minutes and 8 seconds (3 seconds spent on finding the VOICEYE code, 16 seconds for code scanning, and 2 minutes and 49 seconds for reading drug information), and average number of reading of 4. Ninety six percent of participants were satisfied with the labels at high or very high levels. In all evaluated domains including features of the labels, convenience of using and usefulness of the drug labels, mean satisfaction levels were more than 3.5. Conclusion: Drug label with VOICEYE code was user-friendly and help people with visual impairment to get complete drug information on the labels.