Exploring family Practitioners' and Patients' Information Exchange About Prescribed Medications: Implications for Practitioners' Interviewing and Patients' Understanding

Abstract

Twelve conversations between family practitioners and patients for whom medication had been prescribed are examined to discern what kinds and how much information physicians gave or patients sought about the name, dosage, appearance, frequency, and duration for use, as well as the costs and benefits associated with use. This information is considered within a social cognitive theoretical framework to evaluate how patients construct outcome expectations and perceptions of self-efficacy based on such information. The implications for medical interviewing, health care, and health care costs are considered. It is proposed that talk about medications affords an important opportunity for mediated and interpersonal communication to interface.