Development of an Online Telepharmacy Service in the Philippines and Analysis of Its Usage During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: To augment traditional sources of health information at a time of reduced accessibility, a free online telepharmacy service was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This study details the process of developing and operating an online telepharmacy service, analyzes its usage, and assesses users’ health information-seeking patterns. Methods: The service utilized various platforms for receiving and processing queries, communication, and promotion. Submissions received from March 20 to May 31, 2020 were processed for analysis. Parameters analyzed were time patterns of query submission, response time, service feedback, user and patient demographics, and subjects of inquiry. Results: A total of 271 queries were analyzed. Query frequency decreased over time, consistent with relaxation of quarantine restrictions and increasing availability of information. Peak hours of query influx were outside typical business hours. The majority of users were from the general public (93.8%) and preferred to receive responses through text (61.2%). The majority of users from the general public belonged to the 15- to 25-year-old age group (41.1%) and sought information for oneself. Most submissions mentioned COVID-related topics. From the general public, there was greatest interest in drug indications and vitamins, supplements, and herbal products, and from healthcare professionals, in drug procurement. Users who provided feedback (n = 12) all expressed satisfaction with the service and the information they received. Conclusion: Transition to the “new normal” entails adopting alternative platforms to augment traditional sources of health information. An online telepharmacy service may be utilized to provide and clarify medication information as part of primary care.

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Health information seeking preferences of Mexican cancer survivors: Creating an evidence base for the design of high-quality communication programs.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.7_suppl.190 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (7_suppl) ◽

pp. 190-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Enrique Soto Perez De Celis ◽

Edgar Baltazar-Avalos ◽

Lorena Ali Guadalupe Rocha-Rojo ◽

Patricia Rojo-Castillo ◽

Yanin Chavarri Guerra

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Evidence Base ◽

The Internet ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Health Information Seeking ◽

High Quality ◽

Sources Of Health Information ◽

Source Of Information

190 Background: In order to improve the quality of the communication between the healthcare system and cancer survivors, it is fundamental to understand their preferred sources of health information. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), little is known regarding which sources are used and trusted the most. This information is crucial to develop effective communication aimed at achieving high-quality equitable cancer care. Our objective was to explore the preferred sources of health information in Mexico, and to understand which factors influence these choices. Methods: We examined sources of health information among cancer survivors in Mexico City using questions from the Spanish Version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). The characteristics of survivors who preferred the internet were compared with those who preferred other sources (doctors, printed materials, family members, organizations) using Fisher’s exact test. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of patient characteristics on health information-seeking. Results: Of 148 participants, 82 (56%) had internet access. Of the 88 patients who had sought health information, 61 (69%) listed the internet as their preferred source. Those 65 and older were less likely to seek health information, regardless of the source (OR 0.17, p < 0.0001). Survivors who preferred the internet were more likely to be younger (p = 0.001), male (p = 0.003) and to have a higher educational level (p = 0.009). Comorbidities, stage, cancer type, and time from diagnosis had no effect on patient preferences. Doctors were the most trusted source of information (85%), followed by the internet (28%) and government agencies (23%). Conclusions: Mexican patients who seek health information online are more likely to be young educated males. Doctors represent the most trusted source of information, particularly for patients from vulnerable populations (such as older women with low educational levels). High-quality healthcare information programs in LMICs should be designed taking these behaviors into account, and patients should continue to receive health information via their most trusted sources.

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Perceptions of Facebook and Twitter as sources of health information among African-American women

10.32469/10355/64101 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Casey Adams Jones

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Social Media ◽

African American ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Black Women ◽

African American Women ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Seeking ◽

American Women ◽

Sources Of Health Information

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how African-American women perceive Facebook and Twitter as sources for information about heart disease. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 23 women between the ages of 18 and 70, who self-identified as Black and female. Participants were recruited from both urban and rural cities. Data collected during each 60-minute or less focus group session was analyzed and grouped into key themes. Results: Among the Black women who participated in the research, findings indicated that Facebook and Twitter are perceived as credible sources of health information if the material shared comes from a health care professional or organization, or a friend speaking from a personal health experience. Credibility increased if information was presented by a person of colorâ€“particularly of the same race. Knowledge gained via social media was largely deemed to be the 05 board for further research via a tool or website that is established within the health care industry. Participants also expounded upon the importance of one advocating for themselves in the doctor's office and fact checking health information and professionals. Conclusion: Health professionals may be able to more effectively communicate health information to Black women via Facebook and Twitter. Recommendations such as establishing credibility and using women of color in visuals are made that may assist in prompting health behavior changes. Key words: Women, African American, health information seeking, social media, heart disease

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A quantitative approach to segmentation for prescription drug safety programs

Journal of Social Marketing ◽

10.1108/jsocm-06-2014-0037 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 335-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. Craig Lefebvre ◽

Lauren McCormack ◽

Olivia Taylor ◽

Carla Bann ◽

Paula Rausch

Keyword(s):

Prescription Drug ◽

Health Information ◽

Social Marketing ◽

Drug Safety ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Regression Models ◽

Safety Information ◽

Content Type ◽

Sources Of Health Information ◽

Drug Safety Information

Purpose The aim of this paper is to enhance the effectiveness of pharmacovigilance programs that provide information about medical products to benefit consumers, aid health care professional’s decision-making and improve community health. This research sought to determine whether distinct segments of consumers can be identified for prescription drug safety social marketing and communication activities and if these segments would respond differently to information about prescription drug products. Design/methodology/approach Theories of risk information-seeking behavior were used to develop questions for respondents in an online survey panel. Latent class analyses identified clusters that were similar in their ability to accurately interpret risks and benefits, preferred sources of health information, medication use and other related factors. Multinomial logistic regression models identified demographic and psychographic differences across the segments. Logistic and linear regression models were then used to compare each segment’s responses to a specific drug safety information product. Findings The 1,244 respondents were clustered into four segments: not engaged (12 per cent), low-involvement users (29 per cent), careful users (50 per cent) and social information seekers (9 per cent). These segments were distinguished by perceived seeking control, self-appraisal of skill, information insufficiency, self-efficacy, information competency and health literacy. Sources of health information and health-seeking behaviors were also different across the four segments. Significant differences were found among the segments in their comprehension and perceived utility of the content and their intentions to take relevant actions. Practical implications From an array of potential behavioral influences, adults can be segmented by risk information-seeking constructs and related behaviors. These segments respond differently to drug safety information. Use of the personas developed in this work can help pharmacovigilance programs around the world develop more relevant and tailored social marketing products, services and content. Originality/value A social marketing approach using empirically tested theoretical constructs can be useful for drug safety or pharmacovigilance programs. The results were used to create personas that quickly convey relevant information to drug safety program managers and staff.

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Information-seeking behaviour and sources of health information: associations with risk factor status in an analysis of three Queensland electorates

Australian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00104.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 51-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Desley Kassulke ◽

Karen Stenner-Day ◽

Michael Coory ◽

Ian Ring

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Information Seeking Behaviour ◽

Sources Of Health Information ◽

Risk Factor Status

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Perceptions of Facebook and Twitter as sources of health information among African-American women

10.32469/10355/63457 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Casey Adams Jones

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Social Media ◽

African American ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Black Women ◽

African American Women ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Seeking ◽

American Women ◽

Sources Of Health Information

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how African-American women perceive Facebook and Twitter as sources for information about heart disease. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 23 women between the ages of 18 and 70, who selfidentified as Black and female. Participants were recruited from both urban and rural cities. Data collected during each 60-minute or less focus group session was analyzed and grouped into key themes. Results: Among the Black women who participated in the research, findings indicated that Facebook and Twitter are perceived as credible sources of health information if the material shared comes from a health care professional or organization, or a friend speaking from a personal health experience. Credibility increased if information was presented by a person of color-particularly of the same race. Knowledge gained via social media was largely deemed to be the 05 board for further research via a tool or website that is established within the health care industry. Participants also expounded upon the importance of one advocating for themselves in the doctor's office and fact checking health information and professionals. Conclusion: Health professionals may be able to more effectively communicate health information to Black women via Facebook and Twitter. Recommendations such as establishing credibility and using women of color in visuals are made that may assist in prompting health behavior changes. Key words: Women, African American, health information seeking, social media, heart disease

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NLM’s revolution in consumer health information to improve patient outcomes

Information Services & Use ◽

10.3233/isu-210122 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Kathleen Cravedi

Keyword(s):

Health Information ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

General Public ◽

Online Health Information ◽

New Era ◽

Information Tools ◽

Sources Of Health Information ◽

Consumer Magazine ◽

Improve Patient

Under the leadership of NLM Director Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D., the National Library of Medicine (NLM) continued to promote its services to the nation’s health care professionals and scientists. With support of the U.S. Congress, it initiated new communications and outreach programs and services directed at the general public that revolutionized their access to information as well. Because effective health communication must be tailored for the audience and the situation, Lindberg supported the development of online health information tools designed to help consumers find free, comprehensive, timely, and trustworthy sources of health information that, ultimately, can improve patient outcomes. New and popular consumer-friendly websites were championed by Lindberg, including MedlinePlus, and ClincialTrials.gov, and he formed unique partnerships with national physician organizations to educate their patients about reliable sources of health information from the NLM. A new era of timely and trusted online health information for the general public began in 2006 under Lindberg’s tenure culminating in the development, publication and distribution of NIH’s first consumer magazine, NIH MedlinePlus, featuring the research and findings of the NIH. In his effort to improve patient outcomes, Dr. Lindberg revolutionized the Library’s outreach capabilities and successfully expanded its mission to serve not only health professionals and scientists, but also consumers nationwide.

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