Assistenzsystem zur Testung und Verbesserung der Lesbarkeit von Gebrauchsinformationen

Target of the development of which the results were presented below was to create and to realize a method for the improvement of the readability of drug package leaflets. The method designed to support the creation of new leaflets and the improvement of given ones is based on an extensive catalog of criteria which are relevant for the readability of an information for use. The readability testing is structured as a 5-layer system. Starting with calculation of a readability index and a graphical overview covering the total text a detailed analysis of all clauses and sentences is performed resulting in proposals for the readability improvement. The method is designed as an assistance system to support a person in charge to find sentences which could be difficult to understand but without telling the personal what to do. The decision how to modify the wording of a text stays absolutely with the person in charge.
The method for readability improvement was implemented in a prototype to show the feasibility and the validity of the procedure. Additionally to the testing method for drug package leaflets the study indicates further application areas where the method can be used after having adapted the dictionary to the specific wording of the branch of trade in question. To prepare the method for the use in the industry as asked for by the Ministry of Education and Development the necessary procedure is defined for the development of the marketable product.