Prevalence of information- and advice-seeking by patients for newly prescribed medicines and interventions to promote these behaviours : scoping reviews

Gangannagaripalli, Jaheedabegum and Andrews, Pamela and McIver, Laura and Williams, Lynn and Eckler, Petya and Dixon, Diane and Watson, Mags (2025) Prevalence of information- and advice-seeking by patients for newly prescribed medicines and interventions to promote these behaviours : scoping reviews. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice. ISSN 2042-7174 (https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf014)

[thumbnail of Gangannargaripalli-etal-IJPP-2025-Prevalence-of-information-and-advice-seeking-by-patients] Text. Filename: Gangannargaripalli-etal-IJPP-2025-Prevalence-of-information-and-advice-seeking-by-patients.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript
Restricted to Repository staff only until 1 January 2099.

Download (905kB) | Request a copy

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 to 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.

ORCID iDs

Gangannagaripalli, Jaheedabegum, Andrews, Pamela, McIver, Laura, Williams, Lynn ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2735-9219, Eckler, Petya ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5734-8089, Dixon, Diane ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7099-204X and Watson, Mags ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-9273;