Factors that influence the intention to use mobile phone caller tunes for patient reporting of adverse drug reactions: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Patient reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is low in low- and middle-income countries, in part because of poor awareness to report. With the increase in mobile subscription, mobile phones can be used as a platform to disseminate information on ADRs. The aim of this study was to qualitatively assess the potential of using mobile phone caller tunes (the message or sound the caller hears before the receiver answers the call) to encourage patient reporting of ADRs. Methods: A total of 38 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions (57 participants in groups of 4–5) were conducted in Accra, Ghana. The transcripts were analysed using key constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioural intention to use caller tunes for patient reporting of ADRs. Results: Respondents mentioned lack of knowledge on reporting ADRs, and their willingness to use mobile phone caller tunes to promote patient reporting of ADRs. Many respondents pointed out how ADRs usually led to discontinuity in medication use, usually without consultation with health professionals. Caller tunes were regarded an innovative, accessible and convenient platform to disseminate information on ADRs. Most respondents intended to use caller tunes with drug safety information to promote ADR reporting, particularly to help their friends and family members. Simplicity of the message, use of songs or messages in local languages and price of downloading the caller tunes were important considerations. Conclusion: There is a need for the creation and testing of caller tunes on ADRs in Ghana to promote patient or consumer reporting of ADRs. Further studies are needed to assess factors that could influence the creation and use of caller tunes to disseminate information on drug safety.

Consumer reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions: modelling the acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes to raise awareness

“…For example, there is a need to test the acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes among pharmacy staff and other healthcare workers to increase the awareness of consumer reporting of suspected ADRs. This is because caller tunes could generate discussions between callers and the call recipients . Pharmacists and other pharmaceutical care workers, as experts of drug safety issues, would be able to explain the need for reporting suspected ADRs if callers to mobile phones with ADR‐themed caller tunes ask about them.…”

“…[37] Some scholars have called for the extension of TAM to include other variables to enrich its explanation and predictive ability. [37,38] Current knowledge on mobile phone caller tunes acceptance for increasing ADR awareness…”

“…In a qualitative study among Ghanaian consumers, respondents were generally positive in having mobile phone caller tunes to increase consumer reporting of ADRs. [38] However, they suggested the need for having the caller tunes in both local languages and English, and for making them available for free. Currently, those who use caller tunes pay the equivalent of about 15 US cents a month.…”

“…TAM has widely been applied in healthcare settings . Some scholars have called for the extension of TAM to include other variables to enrich its explanation and predictive ability …”

“…The acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes for increasing awareness of consumer reporting of ADRs is a relatively new concept. In a qualitative study among Ghanaian consumers, respondents were generally positive in having mobile phone caller tunes to increase consumer reporting of ADRs . However, they suggested the need for having the caller tunes in both local languages and English, and for making them available for free.…”