267620 Patient prescription medication information seeking behavior and internet use

Monday, October 29, 2012

Shannon H. Houser, PhD , Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Robert Weech-Maldonado, MBA, PhD , Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Lang Chen, PhD , Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, Albania
Ryan Outman, MS , Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Midge N. Ray, RN, MSN , Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc , Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed for musculoskeletal pain and inflammatory conditions. However, NSAIDs can lead to adverse events in the gastrointestinal system and increase the risk of certain medical conditions including cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. A better understanding of patient preferences and use of various types and sources of information on prescription NSAIDs can help bridge the gap between patient knowledge and health care resources.

Objectives: 1) To examine sources of information used by patients regarding NSAIDs risks; 2) To examine the relationship between patient socio-demographic factors and the main source of information used on NSAIDs risks.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey analysis of patients on prescription NSAIDs seen by a primary care physician (n=260) in Alabama. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Statistics were used to examine association between patient socio-demographic factors and the main source of information used.

Results: The majority of participants was female (75%), age 55 or older (55%), non-Hispanic White (58%), and had at least some college (53%). The primary patient source of information on NSAIDs risks was physician (54%), followed by pharmacist (18%), Internet (17%), and other sources, such as nurses and family/friends (11%). Compared to people who use health providers or family/friends as sources of information, Internet users were more likely to be younger than 55 years (p=0.004), White (p=0.006), non-poor (p=0.031), and have enough income to meet basic needs (p=0.012).

Discussion: Patients obtain information from a variety of sources, but primarily from healthcare providers. While the Internet is a growing source of health information, our study shows socio-demographic differences in Internet use as a source of information on medication risks, with older, minority, and poor patients being less likely to use the Internet. Healthcare providers should be aware of their patient preferences for information on medication risks to meet the needs of all patients.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to: Identify patient medication information seeking behavior. Assess socio-demographic factors associated with medication information seeking behavior. Discuss the need for providing multiple sources of medication information to all patients.

Keywords: Internet, Health Communications

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working at the public health, health information management, healthcare management areas for more than 16 years. My education in epidemiology, health information management, health behaviors, and my working experiencs enable me to be this abstract author.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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