Dataset Information

Where to buy OTC medications? A cross-sectional survey investigating consumers' confidence in over-the-counter (OTC) skills and their attitudes towards the availability of OTC painkillers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine consumers' confidence in their own, and also in other people's, over-the-counter (OTC) skills and to describe their attitude towards the availability of OTC painkillers. Moreover we examined the association between confidence in OTC skills and attitudes.

Design

Cross-sectional survey. Mixed methods (postal and electronic) self-administered questionnaire.

Participants

Members of the Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel.

Main outcome measures

Consumers' confidence in their own, and in other people's, OTC skills was examined. Confidence was measured by three questions regarding obtaining information on, choosing and using OTC medication. Consumers' attitudes towards availability were assessed using six safety profiles, by asking which channel consumers prefer for each profile.

Results

The response rate was 68% (n=972). Consumers feel confident about their own OTC skills (mean 3.74; 95% CI 3.69 to 3.79, on a 5-point Likert scale), but have less confidence in OTC skills of others (mean 2.92; 95% CI 2.88 to 2.96). Consumers are conservative in their attitudes towards the availability of OTC painkillers. Most consumers prefer painkillers to be available exclusively in pharmacies (41-71% per profile indicated pharmacy only). Moreover, there is an association between confidence in OTC skills and attitudes (p=0.005; ?=-0.114). Consumers who are more confident about their own OTC skills prefer OTC painkillers to be more generally available.

Conclusions

Consumers feel confident about their own OTC skills. However, they would prefer painkillers with safety profiles resembling those currently available OTC, to be available as OTC in pharmacies exclusively. Consumers' confidence in the OTC skills of others is more consistent with their attitudes towards availability of OTC painkillers. Until consumers themselves realise that they are also one of the others, they may overestimate their own OTC skills, which may entail health risks.

SUBMITTER: Brabers AE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3787475 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Where to buy OTC medications? A cross-sectional survey investigating consumers' confidence in over-the-counter (OTC) skills and their attitudes towards the availability of OTC painkillers.

Brabers A E M AE Van Dijk L L Bouvy M L ML De Jong J D JD

BMJ open 20130925 9

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine consumers' confidence in their own, and also in other people's, over-the-counter (OTC) skills and to describe their attitude towards the availability of OTC painkillers. Moreover we examined the association between confidence in OTC skills and attitudes.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional survey. Mixed methods (postal and electronic) self-administered questionnaire.<h4>Participants</h4>Members of the Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel.<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>Consumers ...[more]

PMID: 24071460

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Project description:IntroductionSince the enactment of the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act in Japan in 2009, self-medication practices have increased in the country. However, studies report that consumers pay little attention to the medication facts and risks indicated on the packages of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, which could be a potential risk. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital transformation of purchasing OTC medicines has progressed. As an appropriate design for the digital transformation is likely to improve consumers' literacy and them obtaining medical information, this study systematically examines Japanese consumers' attitudes toward the digital transformation of OTC medicine purchase behavior and its correlation to eHealth literacy, exploring an appropriate digital experience design in purchasing OTC medicine.MethodsParticipants from the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan participated in an online survey. Consumers' current behavior and preferences in accessing OTC medicine, receiving medication guidance, and obtaining medical information were examined. eHealth literacy was assessed using the J-eHEALS. Descriptive statistics, text mining, and thematic analysis were conducted to answer research questions.ResultsOver 89% of the respondents who had experience in purchasing OTC medicines preferred local pharmacies or stores rather than online purchasing, p < 0.001. Obtaining medicine guidance in pharmacies or stores was the main preference over other approaches, p < 0.001. Furthermore, most of the participants accepted selecting medicine on shelves and digital screens in-store. However, they were accustomed to using smartphones to obtain additional information at the pharmacy or drug store, p < 0.001; this behavior was positively correlated with eHealth literacy, p < 0.001.ConclusionsJapanese consumers are seeking a combination of conventional and digital behaviors for purchasing OTC medicine rather than opting for a particular method. Most consumers prefer purchasing and receiving instructions in-store while searching for additional decision-making information online. eHealth literacy is positively associated with digital behaviors of OTC medicine information acquisition but less associated with medicine purchases and selections. The hybrid digital experience design may enhance the OTC medicine purchase experience and reduce potential risks by providing appropriate information.

Project description:ObjectivesTo determine whether Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) is an effective psychosocial intervention to improve functioning in older consumers with schizophrenia, and whether defeatist performance attitudes are associated with change in functioning in CBSST.DesignAn 18-month, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.SettingOutpatient clinic at a university-affiliated Veterans Affairs hospital.ParticipantsVeteran and non-veteran consumers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 79) age 45-78.InterventionsCBSST was a 36-session, weekly group therapy that combined cognitive behavior therapy with social skills training and problem-solving training to improve functioning. The comparison intervention, goal-focused supportive contact (GFSC), was supportive group therapy focused on achieving functioning goals.MeasurementsBlind raters assessed functioning (primary outcome: Independent Living Skills Survey), CBSST skill mastery, positive and negative symptoms, depression, anxiety, defeatist attitudes, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.ResultsFunctioning trajectories over time were significantly more positive in CBSST than in GFSC, especially for participants with more severe defeatist performance attitudes. Greater improvement in defeatist attitudes was also associated with better functioning in CBSST, but not GFSC. Both treatments showed comparable significant improvements in amotivation, depression, anxiety, positive self-esteem, and life satisfaction.ConclusionsCBSST is an effective treatment to improve functioning in older consumers with schizophrenia, and both CBSST and other supportive goal-focused interventions can reduce symptom distress, increase motivation and self-esteem, and improve life satisfaction. Participants with more severe defeatist performance attitudes may benefit most from cognitive behavioral interventions that target functioning.Trial registryClinicalTrials.Gov #NCT00237796 (http://clinicaltrials. gov/show/NCT00237796).

Dataset Information

Where to buy OTC medications? A cross-sectional survey investigating consumers' confidence in over-the-counter (OTC) skills and their attitudes towards the availability of OTC painkillers.

Objective

Design

Participants

Main outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Where to buy OTC medications? A cross-sectional survey investigating consumers' confidence in over-the-counter (OTC) skills and their attitudes towards the availability of OTC painkillers.

Similar Datasets

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