Patients’ Use and Perceptions of a Drug-Drug Interaction Database: A Survey of Janusmed Interactions

Abstract

Janusmed interactions is a drug-drug interactions (DDI) database available online for healthcare professionals (HCP) at all levels of the healthcare system including pharmacies. The database is aimed at HCP but is also open to the public for free, for those individuals who register for a personal account. The aim of this study was to investigate why and how patients use the database Janusmed interactions, how they perceive content and usability, and how they would react if they found an interaction. A web-based questionnaire was sent by email to all users who had registered for Janusmed interactions as a “patient” (n = 3219). A total of 406 patients completed the survey (response rate 12.6%). The study shows that there is an interest among patients to use a DDI database to check their own or a relative’s medication. The respondents found the database easy to use and perceive they understand the information aimed at HCP. Most patients stated they would talk to their HCP if they found an interaction and not adjust their treatment by themselves. However, the respondents in this study are actively searching for information and seem to have high health literacy. Thus, the findings are not generalizable for the general population.

Current Knowledge about Providing Drug–Drug Interaction Services for Patients—A Scoping Review

“…Patients have different views concerning their own role in medication management. They also differ in their trust in health care professionals, where some patients trust that prescribers make sure their medications are safe to combine and others feel the need to check it themselves [45,50,57]. Other studies, not included in this review, highlight the need for DDI information to patients by demonstrating a gap between patient expectations and the information actually provided by professionals [24,33].…”

“…Only one paper investigates real life experiences from patients using available digital DDI service. In the study by Justad et al [50], a questionnaire was performed among patients who had used the Swedish DDI service Janusmed interactions, which is aimed at and designed for health care professionals. Patients described using the service to check for DDIs between prescribed medications, but also for OTC medication, herbal medication, food, and alcohol.…”

“…The third study focuses on a Swedish website, which gives patients access to a DDI database aimed at health care professionals. In the study by Justad et al [50], which included results relevant for both RQ1 and RQ2, patients using the DDI service were asked about perceived usability and comprehensiveness of texts and if they were lacking any information or functionality. Although the DDI service was designed for professionals, most patients answered that they found the database easy to use.…”

“…Although no studies measure any real-life effects of patients using DDI services, there are indications from studies involving hypothetical DDI-scenarios that some concerns may be partly justified. Most patients say that they would consult their doctor, but a few might consider changing the treatment on their own [50]. There are also indications that DDI information can lead to fear or behavioral reactions [43,46].…”

“…The existence of several interfaces and applications using the same evidence-based content would be a great advantage to all actors in the health care system [58,71]. However, simply providing the same service to patients as to health care professionals seem to be a non-optimal approach even if some patients may appreciate it [34,50]. The information presented might require some medical knowledge and decisions often require complex risk-benefit assessment.…”