A qualitative study to understand over-the-counter medication use and decision-making among residents of senior-living communities

Paliwal, Yoshita; Gendron, Tracey; Jones, Resa M.; Moczygemba, Leticia R.; Nadpara, Pramit; Slattum, Patricia W.

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.09.004

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Fourth, as its name suggests, the Senior Section was designed to address the needs of those within a delimited age range – to improve safe OTC medication use for people 65 and older – because the potential for harms is particularly prevalent for this population due to various biopsychosocial factors. 21 Yet, pharmacy staffs’ experience during the study timeframe pointed to its use by other age groups, particularly parents of young children. Since children are at risk for medication-related harms, 22 further research is needed to investigate the desirability and feasibility of redesigning the intervention to mitigate OTC medication risk for the pediatric population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Patient-Pharmacist Encounters with Over-The-Counter Medications: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

et al. 2020

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Background and Objectives: Over-the-counter (OTC) medication use has increased safety risks for adults older than 65. Most older adults purchase OTC medications from community pharmacies, where the considerable distance or visual obstructions between the prescription area and OTC aisles undermine pharmacists’ ability to assist patients with OTC medication decisions. An innovative redesign of an abbreviated medication section specifically for older adults (called the Senior SectionTM) can facilitate pharmacy staff/patient interaction, potentially improving safe medication selection and use. This study evaluated the impact of the Senior Section on the frequency and content of OTC encounters between pharmacy staff and patients. Research Design and Methods: An intervention mixed-methods design generated data from patient OTC encounters, and interviews with two pharmacists and two technicians, throughout the study. NVivo was used to code interview transcripts, and frequencies and chi-square analyses demonstrated pre/post-intervention comparisons for the OTC encounter variables. Results: After Senior Section implementation, pharmacy staff were more likely to initiate (and be involved in) patient encounters, address more topics or problem/symptoms, provide details about OTC products, discuss appropriateness of OTC use, and discuss medication classes highlighted in the Senior Section. Pharmacy staff were less likely to need to leave the prescription department for extended periods; they also had fewer prolonged encounters or encounters about product location. Importantly, the Senior Section did not impede pharmacy workflow. Discussion and Implications: The Senior Section prompted more frequent, effective, and efficient engagements between pharmacy staff and patients, which may substantially reduce OTC-related harms among older adults. Article Type: Original Research

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Patient-Pharmacist Encounters with Over-The-Counter Medications: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

et al. 2020

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“…A study conducted by Yoshita (2019) among residents of senior-living communities reported, financial and healthcare resources, the severity of the symptoms, experiences with the medication, and relationship with the physician were the most prevalent perceived barriers of self-medication [25]. Perceived barriers are among the most important key factors of the HBM which predicts the subject's behavior [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of a health promotion intervention and education based on Health Belief Model on improving the preventive behaviors of self-Medication among women in Tehran, Iran

Niksadat

Zavare

Gohari

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Introduction: Self-medication (SM) is used in medicine without consultation with a physician which leads to serious problems, especially in women. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a health promotion intervention and education based on health belief model (HBM) on improving the preventive behaviors of self-Medication among women in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A quasi-experimental survey was carried out among 88 women in 4 selected health institutions of one of the districts in Tehran, Iran. A multi-stage random sampling method was carried out to select the participants. The intervention group received the educational module based on constructs of HBM on the prevention of SM, free medical facilities, and video about SM. The outcomes were assessed at baseline and one month after intervention by validated questionnaire on constructs of HBM and checklist of behavior in self-medication in both groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS16 using descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Result: At baseline, there was no significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge, perceptions (self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity, perceived benefits and barriers, self-Efficacy) , and prevention of self-medication behavior in both intervention and control groups (p > 0.05); but after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of both groups in all variables (p<0.001). Also, post-test results showed the considerable promotion of perceived barriers scores in the intervention group, especially on simple and fast inaccessibility to physician and high physician expenses. Conclusion: Educational and promotional intervention based on the health belief model is effective in improving the perceptions and behavior of women in the prevention of self-medication.

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“…According to Wit et al (2020), health literacy is particularly valuable in later life when health challenges grow. Also, in a qualitative research conducted in the USA with older adults residing in senior apartment buildings in an urban community, Paliwal et al (2019) found that, in general, the participants felt positive about OTC drugs and were satisfied with using them regardless of the possibility of malpractices and side effects associated with these medications. Most of the participants read the drug label to know about the drug strength, side effects and expiration date, but they also expressed individual challenges as lack of information, complex language and small and dense text, creating confusion while making a purchase decision.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability of poorly literate adult consumers regarding over-the-counter drugs

Bernardes

Mattoso

Bouzada

et al. 2020

IJPHM

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Purpose This study aims at verifying the impact of literacy on over-the-counter (OTC) drug consumer vulnerability as evaluated by health literacy and label comprehension. Design/methodology/approach The item response theory (IRT) was used to estimate the health literacy of two groups and the two-way analysis of variance tests was used to test the hypotheses for the existence of mean differences between the two populations. The convenience sample involved 188 OTC consumers: 94 (50%) poorly literate and 94 (50%) university students/graduates. Findings University consumers/graduates have a level of health literacy and label comprehension that is superior to those presented by poor literate consumers. Also, age does not influence the level of health literacy by OTC drug users but has a significant impact on the understanding of OTC drug labels. Finally, the level of schooling and the “age group,” simultaneously, does not impact the understanding of OTC drug labels or health literacy. Research limitations/implications This study has added in the field of knowledge by investigating the behavior of poor literate consumers in Brazil, a developing country. The results may be relevant to Marketing professionals, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, and to police makers, as they help identify the main problems faced by poorly literate consumers. Practical implications It is necessary to raise awareness of the dangers of self-medication and wrong use of medications, mainly focused on people with low literacy. As a suggestion, a simple glossary presented along with the label could provide explanations of scientific terms, thus increasing health literacy and reducing the vulnerability of the consumers. Social implications This study showed that when using common words such as gastritis to define a health problem, there is a higher degree of correctness. These results suggest the adoption of a more straightforward language and more precise explanations. By doing that, the pharmaceutical industry and policymakers will improve their social impact by increasing consumer power and taking care of the health of the most vulnerable population: the illiterate people. Originality/value This study contributes to the international literature, as it enhances and clarifies the knowledge about the customers’ power and vulnerability in developing countries. It fills a gap by evaluating label comprehension and heath literacy at the same time, giving an academic contribution for pharmaceutical consumers’ studies.

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A qualitative study to understand over-the-counter medication use and decision-making among residents of senior-living communities

Cited by 22 publications

References 26 publications

Improving Patient-Pharmacist Encounters with Over-The-Counter Medications: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Improving Patient-Pharmacist Encounters with Over-The-Counter Medications: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Effectiveness of a health promotion intervention and education based on Health Belief Model on improving the preventive behaviors of self-Medication among women in Tehran, Iran

Vulnerability of poorly literate adult consumers regarding over-the-counter drugs

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