Abstract
Objectives:
To conduct scoping reviews to assess the prevalence of information- and advice-seeking by patients from pharmacy personnel for newly prescribed medicines, and interventions to promote these behaviours.
Methods:
Standard scoping review methods were used and reported using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches were conducted of electronic databases: Medline (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid), Cinahl (via EBSCO host), and PsycINFO. MeSH terms and keywords were used. The inclusion period was 2010–2024. Independent, duplicate screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal was undertaken. Quality assessment was undertaken using validated tools.
Key findings:
Two studies were identified: prevalence (n = 1) and intervention (n = 1). Information was most frequently sought for dosage information and drug side effects. The intervention study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a computer kiosk to provide counselling and medication-related advice. The methodological quality varied from low (prevalence n = 1) to moderate (n = 2).
Conclusions:
There is paucity of empirical data regarding the extent to which patients engage with information- and advice-seeking and the effectiveness of interventions to promote these behaviours. Knowledge about medicine increases the likelihood of medication adherence and intended health outcomes. This research has identified a knowledge gap in terms of the prevalence of information- and advice-seeking by patients for prescription medicines and the effectiveness of interventions to promote these behaviours. Effective strategies are needed to promote these behaviours to increase adherence and therapeutic benefit, and decrease waste and iatrogenic disease.
To conduct scoping reviews to assess the prevalence of information- and advice-seeking by patients from pharmacy personnel for newly prescribed medicines, and interventions to promote these behaviours.
Methods:
Standard scoping review methods were used and reported using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches were conducted of electronic databases: Medline (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid), Cinahl (via EBSCO host), and PsycINFO. MeSH terms and keywords were used. The inclusion period was 2010–2024. Independent, duplicate screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal was undertaken. Quality assessment was undertaken using validated tools.
Key findings:
Two studies were identified: prevalence (n = 1) and intervention (n = 1). Information was most frequently sought for dosage information and drug side effects. The intervention study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a computer kiosk to provide counselling and medication-related advice. The methodological quality varied from low (prevalence n = 1) to moderate (n = 2).
Conclusions:
There is paucity of empirical data regarding the extent to which patients engage with information- and advice-seeking and the effectiveness of interventions to promote these behaviours. Knowledge about medicine increases the likelihood of medication adherence and intended health outcomes. This research has identified a knowledge gap in terms of the prevalence of information- and advice-seeking by patients for prescription medicines and the effectiveness of interventions to promote these behaviours. Effective strategies are needed to promote these behaviours to increase adherence and therapeutic benefit, and decrease waste and iatrogenic disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 235–240 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | International Journal of Pharmacy Practice |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Apr 2025 |
Funding
This project was funded by the University of Strathclyde and MW’s Health Foundation Improvement Science Fellowship, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and by the Chief Pharmacist, Scottish Government. The supporting source had no involvement or restrictions regarding publication.
Keywords
- data extraction
- information needs
- health literacy