US patients report a preference for online educational options

More than half of consumers lack confidence in their ability to properly take new medications as directed, according to a survey released today by DrFirst, a leading US provider of e-prescribing and patient medication management solutions. Among the consumers who had concerns about taking new medications correctly, two-thirds blamed their anxiety on a lack of time with physicians at the point of care.

The survey, which focused on patients with non-chronic conditions, also found that the least preferred format for educational information on medications is written materials. Overall, respondents would most prefer learning about a drug's purpose and potential side effects from a short online video sent by their doctor or pharmacist via a link.

"At a time when most physicians are working at full capacity and have less time for face-to-face patient encounters, it's critical that we seek alternative methods for educating patients about how to safely take new medications and about each drug's potential side effects," said G Cameron Deemer, president of DrFirst, adding: "Rather than rely on written hand-outs from doctors and pharmacists, we must take advantage of technologies like smartphones and patient portals to deliver impactful, customized details about prescribed medications."