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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 228-235 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Australian journal of primary health |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing
- internet
- self-care decision-making
- taking medicines
- trial-and-error practices.