Evaluation of satisfaction and internet self-efficacy of inquirers using an internet-based drug information centre

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction level of inquirers of an internet-based drug information centre along with the internet usage abilities and habits of individuals who had previously utilised services from an internet-based drug information centre in Turkey. Methods The first 100 individuals who received medication consultancy from the webpage entitled “ www.ilacpedia.com ” and consented to participate in the study were included in this study. This website is an internet-based drug information centre. Participants' data were collected using a participant data form and the Internet Self-efficacy Scale. Results The mean age of participants was 37.92 ± 12.32 years (71 female). It was found that 89% of the individuals who received pharmaceutical consultation from the internet-based drug information service believed that the information that they received was enough to solve their problem. The internet self-efficacy scale scores indicated the highest score on the decomposition subscale (20.94 ± 6.18) and the lowest on the communication subscale (9.77 ± 3.57). Conclusions The present study revealed that the internet-based drug information service provided by clinical pharmacists contributed positively to users' satisfaction, thus indicating the importance of the involvement of clinical pharmacists in this process.

Evaluation of online counselling services based on Turkish web‐based pharmacy care setting: A retrospective observational study

“…Moreover, a total of 990 counselling services were also provided by the clinical pharmacist through WPCS regarding proper medication use, proper treatment duration, required refilling of prescription and/or OTC medication, proper dosage selection and proper drug alternative. Furthermore, the information provided by an online pharmacy consultation service were understandable by 93% of the participants and 83% of them were satisfied with the answers provided and consultations offered by the pharmacists 25 . Accordingly, these emphasise the essential role of the pharmacists for the provision of appropriate counselling services and a well‐defined education and counselling to diminish and prevent many DRPs; thereby improve patient's care and outcomes 35‐37 .…”

“…Unlike participants with university level education, those with primary/secondary education level more visited WPCS for health‐related concerns in comparison to other concerns indicating this concern as high priority for this group of participants. Umefjord et al 24 and Izzettin et al 25 found that women used the internet as a counselling service more than men did. In keeping with the literature, approximately 90% of the women in all European Union countries aged between 16 and 29 years have used the internet.…”

“…Other studies also reported that patients frequently use the internet to seek information about medicines and other health issues. 18,19 The use of the internet to search for medical information was estimated to be 30% of the questions asked by the individuals pertaining to birth, pregnancy and gynaecological diseases 25 acne more than other dermatologic diseases. 33 Similar to the literature, skin disorders particularly acne and gynaecological conditions regarding birth control pills and menstrual disorders represented the majority of the reported medical conditions in the present study.…”

“…According to a study by Eysenbach et al 34 understandable by 93% of the participants and 83% of them were satisfied with the answers provided and consultations offered by the pharmacists. 25 Accordingly, these emphasise the essential role of the pharmacists for the provision of appropriate counselling services and a well-defined education and counselling to diminish and prevent many DRPs; thereby improve patient's care and outcomes. [35][36][37] Earlier studies reported that DRPs are considered as one of the major barriers for patient's recovery and provision of optimal medical care.…”

Internet Self-Efficacy of Pharmacy Students

“…Toplum eczacılarıyla yapılan bir çalışmada ürün bulunurluğunu tespit etme, ilaç fiyatları, ilaçlar ve hastalıklarla ilgili bilgilere ulaşma amacıyla eczacıların günde birden fazla kez interneti kullandığı ortaya konmuştur [12]. İnternetten sağlık bilgilerine olan talep artışı ile eczacıların internet üzerinden verdiği danışmanlık hizmetlerinin önem taşıdığı, bir internet sayfasından klinik eczacılar tarafından sağlanan ilaç danışmanlığı hizmetinden kullanıcıların memnun kaldığı belirtilmektedir [14]. Ayrıca internet tabanlı öğrenme, sürekli eczacılık eğitimi için de uygun bir ortam olarak kabul edilmektedir [15].…”