engleski

Measuring drug information preferences in diabetic patients

The aim of this study was to refine and further validate a patient-respondent scale for the measurement of information desires and anxiety about ilness in a sample of diabetic patients. The sample consisted of patients with diagnosis of insulin (IDDM) or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Standardised interviews were conducted in out-patient diabetic clinics and on medical wards at a London teaching hospital. One hundred and one patient were successfully recruited and interviewd, of whom 63 (62%) were NIDDM patients. The questionaire comprised three parts:socio-demographic variables, a quantitative set of 21 Likert-response items and qualitative open questions. The two types of data were codedand analysed using SPSS (quantitative) and QSR NUD*ISTv4 (qualitative). The quantitative questionnaire items were subjected to standard factor analytic method. Qualitative coding was by inductive method, with coding credibility confirmed by independent review. Factor analysis identified two factors within the item set which which were identified as the EID scle (''extent of information desired'') and the AI scale (''anxiety towards illness''). Both factors showed satisfactory internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.7 and 0.8, respectively). Significant associations were found between EID factor scores and age (Pearson's r=-0.2, p=0.027), maritial status (ANOVA, p=0.001), selfreported occupation (chi2=15.9, p les than 0.001) and level of educational qualifications (t-test=2.862, p=0.005). Matrix analysisi of the qualitative data codes indicated that patients who scored low on the AI scale (low anxiety) tended to exibit more optimistic attitudes towards their medicines than did high scores. This study has veryfied the use of the eID and AI scales as potentially valuable tools to measure desire for drug information and anxiety about illness in diabetic patients. Validating measures such as this will enable robust exploration of information desires, patients' satisfaction and adherence to therapy.

Drug information preferences; Diabetic patients; Desire for information; Pharmaceutical care

Istrazivanje je napravljeno u suradnji s istraživačima The School of Pharmacy, University of London, Centre for Pharmacy Practice and Policy.