Patients with rare diseases using pharmacists for medication information.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether patients with a rare illness (1) use pharmacists for medication information more or less frequently than physicians and the Internet, (2) perceive pharmacists as a more or less credible medical information resource than physicians and the Internet, and (3) obtain different types of medication information from pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Online data collected between 2008 and 2009.


METHODS
Adult, English-proficient vasculitis patients (n = 232) who were taking at least one medication to treat their vasculitis.


METHODS
Administration of online survey.


METHODS
Patient use of pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet for medication information; perceived credibility of pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet as sources of medication information; and types of medication information obtained from pharmacists, physicians, and the Internet.


RESULTS
Participants consulted physicians and the Internet more than pharmacists for medication information; only 96 participants (41.4%) ever used pharmacists for vasculitis medication information. Females and participants who used community pharmacies were significantly more likely to consult pharmacists for medication information as compared with males and patients who did not use community pharmacies. Participants perceived pharmacists were a less credible source of medication information than physicians and the Internet. Participants used physicians and/or the Internet more than pharmacists for five of eight types of medication information, including adverse effects and drug effectiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
Vasculitis patients consulted sources other than pharmacists for medication information. Several factors, including perceived pharmacist credibility and a noncommunity-based pharmacy, may contribute to infrequent patient use of pharmacists as a medication information source. Future qualitative research should document how patients with rare disease perceive and interact with pharmacists to understand why many view pharmacists as only moderately credible sources of medication information.
Delesha M
DM
Carpenter
Susan J
SJ
Blalock
Robert F
RF
DeVellis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000523:psychology