Where do people obtain side effect information? Results from a census-matched U.S. national survey

Prescription medication side effects are a prominent concern in healthcare, potentially compromising treatment outcomes and reducing patient quality of life. Increased exposure to side effect information, particularly from non-reputable sources, has been linked to increased side effect reports. An online survey involving a U.S. national adult sample that was census-benchmarked for gender, age, and race (N = 1313) was conducted to determine the sources patients use to obtain side effect information regarding prescription medications and their perceptions of these sources. Participants most frequently reported obtaining side effect information from healthcare providers, patient information leaflets, or the Internet, whereas pharmacists and interpersonal contacts were reportedly used less frequently. Health websites (e.g., WebMD or Mayo Clinic) were the most used online source for information; in contrast, social media, online forums, research articles, and government websites were less frequently consulted. Participants rated healthcare clinicians as the most trustworthy, reliable, accurate, and helpful source of side effect information, with more neutral attitudes expressed toward interpersonal and Internet sources. Additional analyses revealed significant effects of age, race, and gender on source use and perceptions, with women reporting greater engagement with nearly all sources compared to men, non-White participants more frequently relying on online forums and social media, and younger adults using healthcare practitioners and online forums more in comparison to older adults who favored leaflets and pharmacists. These findings highlight the variability in how individuals access and perceive side effect information.