Social Representations of Medicines and Self-Medication: An Exploratory Analysis of Patient Perspectives and Practices
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Themes
Self-medication, social representations, medicines, healthcare, patient behavior, medication safety, healthcare professionals, information sources, pharmaceuticals, public health
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Abstract
"Explore the complex relationship between social representations of medicines and self-medication practices through an in-depth analysis of six exploratory interviews. This study reveals how individuals' perceptions of medications, trust in information sources, and personal experiences influence their self-medication habits. Discover how factors like cost of living, risk perception, and access to information shape medication practices, and learn about the two key hypotheses emerging from this research: the link between perceived effectiveness and safety of medications and the tendency to self-medicate."
Extract
[...] Theme Perception of Medicines The participants perceive the medicines they use on a daily basis differently. Some have blind trust in them, while others are wary of them. For example, the retired person we were able to question considers medicines as 'magical solutions' to alleviate, in particular, ailments and improve. While the florist, on the other hand, perceives the medicine as potentially dangerous chemical substances. « A medicine is really something that allows you to get better when you're sick or when you feel an unpleasant symptom. [...]
[...] These authors highlight that patients with cardiovascular diseases rely on various sources to inform themselves about their medications, including healthcare professionals, media, and the Internet. However, the trust placed in these sources can vary significantly, with patients tending to trust information from healthcare professionals more than that from the Internet or media. Theme Risks and Side Effects The risks and side effects associated with the use of medications are a major concern for some participants. They express concerns about the potentially harmful consequences of medications on their health, particularly in cases of abuse or misuse. [...]
[...] If I have a fungus. Me, in fact, I know what I have. And so I take care of myself alone. Interview with the person retired Theme n°3: The sources of information Participants inform themselves about medications through various sources, including doctors, pharmacists, the Internet, and the media. The trust given to these sources varies depending on the individuals and their personal experiences. Some rely on the advice of healthcare professionals, while others prefer the information available on the Internet or in the media. [...]
[...] Theme n°2: Self-Medication During our interviews, many citizens practiced self-medication. For example, to treat mild symptoms or to manage chronic health problems. The people surveyed justified not asking their doctor for advice due to convenience, time-saving, but also knowledge of their immune response. However, some participants expressed a certain ambivalence towards this practice, acknowledging the potential risks associated with self-medication. « If I have a cold, I take a medicine. Thinking I know. If I have a fungus. Me, in fact, I know what I have. [...]
[...] These two hypotheses were retained because they are at the heart of the concerns expressed by participants during the interviews. By focusing on these two aspects, the study will be able to provide valuable insights into the determinants of self-medication and contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon. Other aspects of the social representations of medicines that emerged from the interviews, such as the trust placed in different sources of information or the representations of pharmaceutical companies, can be explored in the framework of future studies. [...]
