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3DP medication label for BVI
use of English words due to the low literacy levels the 3DP labels were shown to the target users and
among elderly BVI patients and those who lost it was also communicated that the labels were
their vision early in their lives. Furthermore, as only a prototype and would be more aesthetically
tactile acuity is lower than the sense of vision , pleasing with improvements in technology with
[12]
the words on the 3DP label could have been too time. In addition, feedback could only be obtained
complicated to be perceived by the sense of touch from a small sample size. Future work could
compared to simple tactile shapes. further identify the perceptions and preferred
The use of shapes and symbols for the dosing formatting parameters of the 3DP label in a larger
instructions and medication identifiers were received patient cohort, and the role of 3DP labels in
positively by the target users, probably because it complementarity with the main dispensing labels
would be more intuitive for those who were less and other auxiliary approaches for BVI patients to
literate , and thus could address the challenge of manage their medications could also be studied.
[10]
literacy levels in our patients. However, a universal
half-sphere shape was preferred over different 5 Conclusion
shapes representing different dosage forms, as it
could be confusing to users and required them to The label consists of dosing instructions and
remember the meanings of many symbols. It was medication identifiers that are represented by
also suggested that the symbols be enlarged and shapes and symbols. In addition, several features
more elevated so as to improve its user-friendliness that make the 3DP label more patient-centric
for the blind. Our results were similar to another and user-friendly for BVI patients have been
study by Ramsamy-Iranah et al. , which suggested identified. With future advancements in 3DP
[40]
that a larger height contrast for 3D symbols was technologies, there is great potential to produce
more easily differentiated from other components 3DP labels in patients’ medication management,
by the blind. These findings reflect the need for so as to transform the last-mile delivery of health-
a solution that is able to provide comprehensive care services by enabling patient independence
medication information to BVI patients, yet simple and ownership against the backdrop of an aging
in delivery. Such a solution would require trade- population.
offs, underpinned by harmony between information
comprehensiveness and individual intuition. Acknowledgement
The trade-offs for 3DP medication labels to be The authors thank the support provided by the
implemented in clinical practice would be the size Dialogue in the Dark (DiD) Singapore and School
of the labels and the high initial costs of producing of Pharmacy, University of Sydney.
it, which would require a decision on its cost-benefit
by target end-users and the health-care system. References
There were several limitations in this project. As
this was a proof-of-concept project, the 3D printer 1. World Health Organization, 2019, Blindness and Vision
used was not a high-end product. As such, the Impairment. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-
print resolution by the FFF was limited by nozzle room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment.
diameter and resulted in higher layer thickness; [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 28].
hence, only elevations of some increments could 2. American Foundation for the Blind, 2020, Facts and Figures
be printed, and this also led to a poorer resolution on Adults with Vision Loss. American Foundation for the
of the printed objects. In addition, the deformation Blind, Arlington County. Available from: http://www.afb.org/
of the 3DP products occurred, which led to some info/blindness-statistics/adults/facts-and-figures/235. [Last
components not being produced in alignment with accessed on 2020 Apr 19].
the design. This contributed at times to inadequate 3. Zuckerman DM, 2020, Blind Adults in America: Their Lives
separation among letters and between letters and and Challenges. Available from: http://center4research.org/
the background. However, the best variations of wp-content/uploads/2010/05/blind02041.pdf. [Last accessed

122 International Journal of Bioprinting (2020)–Volume 6, Issue 2