Evaluation of Web-Based Consumer Medication Information: Content and Usability of 4 Australian Websites.

Magdalena Z Raban,Johanna I Westbrook,Lauren Richardson,Ling Li,Mary Byrne,Melissa T Baysari,Amina Tariq,Maureen Robinson

doi:10.2196/ijmr.5651

Abstract

BackgroundMedication is the most common intervention in health care, and written medication information can affect consumers’ medication-related behavior. Research has shown that a large proportion of Australians search for medication information on the Internet.ObjectiveTo evaluate the medication information content, based on consumer medication information needs, and usability of 4 Australian health websites: Better Health Channel, myDr, healthdirect, and NPS MedicineWise .MethodsTo assess website content, the most common consumer medication information needs were identified using (1) medication queries to the healthdirect helpline (a telephone helpline available across most of Australia) and (2) the most frequently used medications in Australia. The most frequently used medications were extracted from Australian government statistics on use of subsidized medicines in the community and the National Census of Medicines Use. Each website was assessed to determine whether it covered or partially covered information and advice about these medications. To assess website usability, 16 consumers participated in user testing wherein they were required to locate 2 pieces of medication information on each website. Brief semistructured interviews were also conducted with participants to gauge their opinions of the websites.ResultsInformation on prescription medication was more comprehensively covered on all websites (3 of 4 websites covered 100% of information) than nonprescription medication (websites covered 0%-67% of information). Most websites relied on consumer medicines information leaflets to convey prescription medication information to consumers. Information about prescription medication classes was less comprehensive, with no website providing all information examined about antibiotics and antidepressants. Participants (n=16) were able to locate medication information on websites in most cases (accuracy ranged from 84% to 91%). However, a number of usability issues relating to website navigation and information display were identified. For example, websites not allowing combinations of search terms to be entered in search boxes and continuous blocks of text without subheadings.ConclusionsOf the 4 Australian health information websites tested, none provided consumers with comprehensive medication information on both prescription and nonprescription medications in a user-friendly way. Using data on consumer information needs and user testing to guide medication information content and website design is a useful approach to inform consumer website development.

Highlights

ScopePART 1: THE EXTENT OF MEDICATION-RELATED PROBLEMSMedication-related hospital admissionsThe accuracy of medication history on admissionPrescribing errors in the hospital settingPrescribing errors for paper-based systemsPrescribing errors for paper-based systems with standardised medication chartsPrescribing errors for e-prescribing systemsAdministration errors in the hospital settingMedication incidents within hospital unitsHospital emergency departments
It was concluded that studies of clinical pharmacist services lacked consistency and comparability, systematic reviews and more recent evidence included in the AHRQ review generally support pharmacist services for improving patient safety
It was concluded that smart pumps have the most potential to reduce medication errors when integrated into a larger medication safety system that connects them with computerised provider order entry systems, barcode enabled point of care and electronic medicine administration records

Summary

Introduction

ScopePART 1: THE EXTENT OF MEDICATION-RELATED PROBLEMSMedication-related hospital admissionsThe accuracy of medication history on admissionPrescribing errors in the hospital settingPrescribing errors for paper-based systemsPrescribing errors for paper-based systems with standardised medication chartsPrescribing errors for e-prescribing systemsAdministration errors in the hospital settingMedication incidents within hospital unitsHospital emergency departments. Prescribing errors for paper-based systems with standardised medication charts. Part 1: The extent of medication-related problems. Medication-related hospital admissions have previously been estimated to comprise 2% to 3% of all Australian hospital admissions, with rising estimates of prevalence when sub-populations are studied. 12% of all medical admissions and 20% to 30% of all admissions in the population aged 65 years and over are estimated to be medication-related.[6]. No new studies were located that have assessed the overall rate of medication-related hospital admissions. Three studies were located that assessed the rate of adverse drug reactions (ADR) or accidental overdose associated with hospitalisation, either as a cause of admission or occurring during hospital stay. Two of the studies were undertaken in cohorts of patients that had a hospitalisation involving an overnight stay,[7 8] the third in a cohort of patients with diabetes.[9]

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