title: Do trial-and-error practices and the use of the internet influence how medicines are used?
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Anne W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dal Grande
authors.affiliation: Services and Innovation, Silver Chain Group incorporating RDNS SA Ltd, 1 Richmond Road, Keswick, SA 5034, Australia.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kralik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring