Trust in online prescription drug information among internet users: the impact on information search behavior after exposure to direct-to-consumer advertising.
The proliferation of both manufacturer-controlled and independent medication-related websites has aroused concern among consumers and policy-makers concerning the trustworthiness of Web-based drug information. The authors examine consumers' trust in on-line prescription drug information and its influence on information search behavior. The study design involves a retrospective analysis of data from a 1998 national survey. The findings reveal that trust in drug information from traditional media sources such as television and newspapers transfers to the domain of the Internet. Furthermore, a greater trust in on-line prescription drug information stimulates utilization of the Internet for information search after exposure to prescription drug advertising.
College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, USA.
Ajit M
AM
Menon
Aparna D
AD
Deshpande
Matthew
M
Perri
George M
GM
Zinkhan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000592:standards*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States