Do trial-and-error practices and the use of the internet influence how medicines are used?
Kay Price A D , Anne W. Taylor B , Eleonora Dal Grande B and Debbie Kralik C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
B Population Research and Outcome Studies, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Level 3, 122 Frome Street, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
C Services and Innovation, Silver Chain Group incorporating RDNS SA Ltd, 1 Richmond Road, Keswick, SA 5034, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: Kay.Price@unisa.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 20(3) 228-235 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY13007
Submitted: 15 May 2012 Accepted: 14 March 2013 Published: 8 April 2013
Abstract
The aim of this research was to identify if people understood and used a practice termed ‘trial and error’ and the association of this practice to: (1) taking medicines as prescribed; and (2) use of the internet to assist their self-care decision-making. A national Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) was conducted in 2011 of a random sample of 3003 adults aged 18 years and over. Multivariable modelling, in stages, was undertaken adjusting for a range of demographics and associated health variables. There is a very strong relationship between the use of trial-and-error practices and not taking prescription medicines as prescribed. In addition, adults who state that they use trial-and-error practices to assist their health-related decision-making are more likely to have used the internet for information and then as a result, adjusted medicines or treatment. Any health care initiative directed at ensuring people take medicines as prescribed cannot dismiss the use of trial-and-error practices derived from information found on the internet.
Additional keywords: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing, internet, self-care decision-making, taking medicines, trial-and-error practices.
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