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Aikin KJ, Boudewyns V, Betts KR, Giombi KC, Paquin RS, Brewington M, Malik R. Implied Claims in Drug Advertising: A Review of Recent Literature and Regulatory Actions. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:652-665. [PMID: 36825849 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2179717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Federal agencies and self-regulatory bodies help to ensure prescription and nonprescription drug promotion contains accurate information; however, false or misleading claims may cause people to have inaccurate perceptions of a drug and inhibit their ability to make informed decisions. We conducted a systematic review assessing evidence from 2012-2021 on how consumers and healthcare providers (HCPs) interpret claims made indirectly or through inference (implied or implicit claims) as well as synthesizing prescription and nonprescription drug advertising claims that have been the subject of regulatory actions from 2017-2021. Our search identified 16 studies from the peer-reviewed literature and 26 letters or case reports issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or National Advertising Division (NAD). Results from peer-reviewed studies suggest that implied claims can result in inferences that may not be warranted by the material facts about the drug. Perceptions of a drug's efficacy and, to a lesser extent, risk, are influenced by implied and explicitly false claims in prescription drug promotion. Claims related to implied superiority and overstatement of efficacy were the most prevalent claims flagged for review and examined in the literature. These types of claims were also the subject of many of the compliance actions by the FDA and case reports from the NAD. More research is needed to understand how people interpret varying types of implied claims and the impact of such claims on key outcomes. From a policy standpoint, understanding how people interpret implied claims can inform how the FDA approaches these claims in the marketplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Aikin
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Prescription Drug Promotion
| | | | - Kevin R Betts
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Prescription Drug Promotion
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Giombi K, Thompson J, Wines C, Haughney R, Sullivan HW, Betts KR. A scoping review of empirical research on prescription drug promotion. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:859-872. [PMID: 36931982 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmaceutical spending on prescription drug promotion is considerable, and exposure to advertising can influence demand and behavior. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides industry guidance to help ensure that communications to consumers and health care providers about prescription drug promotion are truthful, balanced, and accurately communicated. As empirical research has accelerated on this topic in the past decade, an understanding of the current landscape of the science will help inform future research. OBJECTIVES Using systematic methods, this rigorous scoping review of the literature over the past decade (2012-2021) (1) examined the extent to which prescription drug promotion has been empirically investigated with consumers, patients, and health care providers; (2) examined the extent to which content and features of prescription drug promotion have been empirically investigated; and (3) identified themes across the literature to better understand the current landscape of prescription drug promotion. METHODS Databases searched include PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Business Source Corporate, Communication Source, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for original research published in English from January 1, 2012, through November 10, 2021, using terms related to direct-to-consumer advertising, prescription drugs, and outcomes of interest (e.g., attitudes, perceptions, intentions, behaviors). RESULTS Of 804 screened references, 151 studies addressed the first research question, and 40 studies addressed the second. The most common theme across the body of evidence focused on testing of features and content in prescription drug promotional materials (84), followed by studies examining attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors toward prescription drug promotion more generally (43). Some (27) studies focused on targeted populations, such as patients, the elderly, non-English speaking people or individuals of a non-white race/ethnicity. Twenty-four studies assessed influence of exposure to prescription drug promotion on actual clinical outcomes, while 11 studies examined emerging technologies around prescription drug promotion. Seven studies evaluated the extent to which prescription drug promotion complied with existing guidelines and requirements. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this scoping review suggest there has been an increase in the number of empirical studies conducted on prescription drug promotion over the past decade. Potential areas that warrant further study include examination of emerging technologies, an expanded focus on targeted populations, and construct measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Candi Wines
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Helen W Sullivan
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Kevin R Betts
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Calac AJ, Southwell BG. How Misinformation Research Can Mask Relationship Gaps that Undermine Public Health Response. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:561-563. [DOI: 10.1177/08901171211070951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alec J. Calac
- University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Brian G. Southwell
- Science in the Public Sphere, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Johnson SS. Knowing Well, Being Well: well-being born of understanding: The Urgent Need for Coordinated and Comprehensive Efforts to Combat Misinformation. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:559-581. [PMID: 35164544 PMCID: PMC8851052 DOI: 10.1177/08901171211070957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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Im H, Huh J. Effects of conflicting prescription drug information from direct-to-consumer advertising and drug injury advertising on patients' beliefs and medication adherence. Res Social Adm Pharm 2021; 18:3119-3130. [PMID: 34454872 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients are often exposed to contradictory information about pharmaceutical products from various types of advertising. For example, direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) tend to emphasize a drug's benefits, while drug injury advertising emphasizes the worst side effects. Regarding DTCA as a drug information source, many researchers in pharmacy field focus on investigating the misinformation in DTCA and corrective advertising. However, no prior research has examined the effects of such contradictory advertising messages on patients' prescription medicine-related beliefs and medication adherence. This is a significant gap in the research literature on pharmaceutical advertising effects and medication adherence. OBJECTIVE This is aimed to examine how exposure to DTCA and drug injury advertising would influence patients' chronic accessibility of drug-related beliefs and their medication adherence behavior. METHODS An online survey was conducted with a sample of 213 patients taking prescription blood thinners. RESULTS The findings from this study did not support the predicted relationship between exposure to DTCA and consumers' drug-related belief accessibility or their medication adherence. However, this study found a significant interaction effect of exposure to DTCA and exposure to drug injury ads on patients' medication adherence. The analysis results demonstrate that, for those who were exposed to drug injury ads, a significant negative relationship emerged between DTCA exposure and medication adherence. CONCLUSION This study provides important empirical evidence of a negative interaction effect of exposure to DTCA and drug injury ads on patients' medication adherence, which demonstrates that the influence of DTCA and drug injury ad exposures on patients' medication adherence is not independent, separate process but an interactive process. A communication campaign with corrective advertising could alleviate the negative interaction effect of exposure to contradictory information from different types of pharmaceutical ads on patients' medication adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heewon Im
- School of Communications, Dankook University, 152, Jukjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, 16890, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Jisu Huh
- Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota, 206 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, 55455, MN, USA.
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Wood JL, Lee GY, Stinnett SS, Southwell BG. A Pilot Study of Medical Misinformation Perceptions and Training Among Practitioners in North Carolina (USA). INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing 2021; 58:469580211035742. [PMID: 34399597 PMCID: PMC8375336 DOI: 10.1177/00469580211035742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medical misinformation (MM) is a problem for both medical practitioners and patients in the 21st century. Medical practitioners have anecdotally reported encounters with patient-held misinformation, but to date we lack evidence that quantifies this phenomenon. We surveyed licensed practitioners in the state of North Carolina to better understand how often patients mention MM in the clinical setting, and if medical practitioners are trained to engage with patients in these specific conversations. We administered an anonymous, online survey to physicians and physician assistants licensed to practice in the state of North Carolina. Questions focused on demographics, clinical encounters with MM, and training to discuss MM with patients. We received over 2800 responses and analyzed 2183 after removing ineligible responses. Our results showed that most respondents encountered MM from patients (94.2% (2047/2183)), with no significant differences between clinical specialty, time spent in practice, or community type. When asked about specific training, 18% (380/2081) reported formal experiences and 39% (807/289) reported informal experiences. MM has been salient due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it was present before and will remain after the pandemic. Given that MM is widespread but practitioners lack training on engaging patients in these conversations, a sustained effort to specifically train current and future practitioners on how to engage patients about MM would be an important step toward mitigating the spread of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Wood
- Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, 3065Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Sandra S Stinnett
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, 3065Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, 3065Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Brian G Southwell
- Science in the Public Sphere Program, 6853RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.,Social Science Research Institute, 3065Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Nagler RH, Vogel RI, Gollust SE, Yzer MC, Rothman AJ. Effects of Prior Exposure to Conflicting Health Information on Responses to Subsequent Unrelated Health Messages: Results from a Population-Based Longitudinal Experiment. Ann Behav Med 2021; 56:498-511. [PMID: 34398961 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaab069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that exposure to conflicting health information can adversely affect public understanding of and trust in health recommendations. What is not known is whether prior exposure to such information renders people less receptive to subsequent unrelated health messages about behaviors for which the evidence is clear and consistent. PURPOSE This study tests this "carryover" effects hypothesis, positing that prior exposure to conflict will reduce receptivity to subsequent unrelated health messages, and examines potential affective and cognitive pathways through which such effects might occur. METHODS A three-wave, online, population-based survey experiment (N = 2,716) assessed whether participants who were randomly assigned to view a series of health news stories and social media posts featuring conflict at Times 1 and 2 were ultimately less receptive at Time 3 to ads from existing health campaigns about behaviors for which there is scientific consensus, compared to those who saw the same series of stories and posts that did not feature conflict. RESULTS Structural equation modeling revealed evidence of carryover effects of exposure to conflict on two dimensions of message receptivity: greater resistance to the unrelated ads and lower perceptions of the health behaviors featured in the ads. Modeling indicated that carryover effects were a function of generalized backlash toward health recommendations and research elicited by prior exposure to conflicting information. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that the broader public information environment, which is increasingly characterized by messages of conflict and controversy, could undermine the success of large-scale public health messaging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah H Nagler
- Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Minnesota, 111 Murphy Hall, 206 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Rachel I Vogel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware Street SE MMC 395, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sarah E Gollust
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware Street SE MMC 729, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marco C Yzer
- Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Minnesota, 111 Murphy Hall, 206 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alexander J Rothman
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, N321 Elliot Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Experimental evidence of consumer and physician detection and rejection of misleading prescription drug website content. Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 17:733-743. [PMID: 32792323 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumers and primary care physicians (PCPs) sometimes encounter deceptive promotional claims about prescription drugs. Whether consumers and PCPs can detect deceptive claims or whether those claims negatively affect medical decision making, however, remain important, unanswered research questions. OBJECTIVES This article explores (1) the ability of consumers and PCPs to identify deceptive prescription drug promotion at various levels of deception, (2) the influence of such tactics on obstructing risk recognition, and (3) whether perceived deception mediates relationships between exposure to deceptive tactics and various outcomes (including false-claim acceptance, attitudes, information-seeking intentions, and interest toward the promoted drug). METHODS Two experiments-1 with consumers (N = 366) and 1 with PCPs (N = 378)-were conducted to determine whether participant exposure to deceptive prescription drug website content corresponds to detection and acceptance (or rejection) of claims and tactics. In each experiment, the number of deceptive claims and tactics on a consumer- or PCP-targeted website for a fictitious chronic pain medication were varied, in a 1 × 3 (none, fewer, more) between-subjects design. RESULTS Among consumers, exposure to more deceptive claims or tactics did not increase suspicion about the veracity of the website (relative to fewer claims and tactics) and actually had a limited positive direct effect on false-claim acceptance and attitudes toward the drug. Among PCPs, a mediation effect existed such that exposure to more deceptive claims and tactics resulted in higher perceived website deceptiveness relative to those in the fewer deceptive claims condition, which, in turn, resulted in lower acceptance of deceptive claims and tactics, lower perceived drug effectiveness, more negative attitudes toward the drug, and lower interest and intentions. CONCLUSION These experiments demonstrate potential differences between consumers and PCPs as well as implications for consumer and PCP vulnerability to website deception.
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Powell D, Bian L, Markman EM. When intents to educate can misinform: Inadvertent paltering through violations of communicative norms. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230360. [PMID: 32469993 PMCID: PMC7259623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Paltering is a form of deception whereby true statements are used to mislead and is widely employed in negotiations, marketing, espionage, and ordinary communications where speakers hold ulterior motives. We argue that paltering is accomplished through strategic violations of communicative norms such as the Gricean cooperative principles of relevance, quantity, quality and manner. We further argue that, just as genuine paltering deceives by deliberately violating communicative norms, inadvertent violations of these norms may be just as misleading. In this work, we demonstrated that educational information presented prominently on the American Diabetes Association website violated the Gricean communicative principles and disrupted readers' performance on a test of diabetes knowledge. To establish the effects of these communicative violations, we revised the ADA's information to preserve the original content while better adhering to pragmatic principles. When these ADA explanations were judiciously revised to minimize pragmatic violations, they were transformed from misleading to educational.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Powell
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Lin Bian
- Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Ellen M. Markman
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
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van der Meer TGLA, Jin Y. Seeking Formula for Misinformation Treatment in Public Health Crises: The Effects of Corrective Information Type and Source. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2020; 35:560-575. [PMID: 30761917 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2019.1573295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
An increasing lack of information truthfulness has become a fundamental challenge to communications. Insights into how to debunk this type of misinformation can especially be crucial for public health crises. To identify corrective information strategies that increase awareness and trigger actions during infectious disease outbreaks, an online experiment (N = 700) was conducted, using a U.S. sample. After initial misinformation exposure, participants' exposure to corrective information type (simple rebuttal vs. factual elaboration) and source (government health agency vs. news media vs. social peer) was varied, including a control group without corrective information. Results show that, if corrective information is present rather than absent, incorrect beliefs based on misinformation are debunked and the exposure to factual elaboration, compared to simple rebuttal, stimulates intentions to take protective actions. Moreover, government agency and news media sources are found to be more successful in improving belief accuracy compared to social peers. The observed mediating role of crisis emotions reveals the mechanism underlying the effects of corrective information. The findings contribute to misinformation research by providing a formula for correcting the increasing spread of misinformation in times of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yan Jin
- Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia
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11
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Imaeva AE, Balanova YA, Kontsevaya AV, Kapustina AV. Pharmaceutical advertising on child-focused television networks in Russia: is there a need for change? КАРДИОВАСКУЛЯРНАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ И ПРОФИЛАКТИКА 2020. [DOI: 10.15829/1728-8800-2020-1-2406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. E. Imaeva
- National Medical Research Center for Preventive Medicine
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12
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Betts KR, Aikin KJ, Kelly BJ, Johnson M, Parvanta S, Southwell BG, Mack N, Tzeng J, Cameron L. Taking Repeated Exposure into Account: An Experimental Study of Direct-To-Consumer Prescription Drug Television Ad Effects. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2019; 24:503-511. [PMID: 31033396 PMCID: PMC9479315 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2019.1609139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Little is known about how repeated exposure to direct-to-consumer prescription drug promotion can impact consumers' retention and perceptions of drug information. The study described here tested the effects of varied ad exposure frequency on these outcomes. Methods: In an in-person experiment, participants with seasonal allergies (n = 616) were randomized to view a mock prescription drug television ad either once, twice, or four times within 1 h of television programming, embedded with six commercial breaks. Respondents then answered a 20-min survey administered via computer. Results: Those who viewed the ad more frequently were better able to recall both risk (X2 = 20.93, p < .001) and benefit information (X2 = 9.34, p = .009) and to recognize risk (F(2,597) = 11.89, p = .001) and benefit information (F(2,597) = 3.17, p = .043) than those who viewed the ad one time. Ad exposure frequency was not associated with perceptions about the magnitude or likelihood of risks or benefits. In general, risk information seemed to require more repetitions than benefit information to be accurately remembered. The recall was mediated by elaborate processing. Discussion: Effects on memory were small; retention of both risks and benefits remained low overall even after four exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R. Betts
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Prescription Drug Promotion 10903 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD, USA 20993
| | - Kathryn J. Aikin
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Prescription Drug Promotion 10903 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD, USA 20993
| | - Bridget J. Kelly
- RTI International Center for Communication Science 3040 E. Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709
| | - Mihaela Johnson
- RTI International Center for Communication Science 3040 E. Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709
| | - Sarah Parvanta
- RTI International Center for Communication Science 3040 E. Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709
| | - Brian G. Southwell
- RTI International Center for Communication Science 3040 E. Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709
| | - Nicole Mack
- RTI International Center for Communication Science 3040 E. Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709
| | - Janice Tzeng
- RTI International Center for Communication Science 3040 E. Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709
| | - Linda Cameron
- University of California, Merced 5200 North Lake Road Merced, CA 95343
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Catalan-Matamoros D, Peñafiel-Saiz C. The Use of Traditional Media for Public Communication about Medicines: A Systematic Review of Characteristics and Outcomes. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2019; 34:415-423. [PMID: 29252009 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2017.1405485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A systematic review was conducted to identify, appraise, and synthesize data from original research investigating the use of traditional media for public communication about medicines. Databases were searched for studies conducting quantitative or qualitative analyses between the years 2007 and 2017. Data extraction and assessment of the quality of the resulting studies was conducted by one reviewer and checked for accuracy by a second reviewer. A total of 57 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were grouped as follows: "newspapers and other print media" (n = 42), "television" (n = 9), and "radio and a combination of media" (n = 6). Content analysis (n = 34) was the most frequent research design, followed by surveys or interviews (n = 14) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 9). Advertising, public awareness, and health administration were the most common themes, and the medicines most analyzed were vaccines, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza. Studies conducted in the United States were the most frequent, followed by other high-income countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. The lack of consistent studies of the effects of media campaigns stresses the importance of the use of standardized research methodologies. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings for further research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Catalan-Matamoros
- a Department of Journalism and Communication , University Carlos III of Madrid , Getafe , Spain
- b Research Group of Health Sciences CTS-451 , University of Almeria , Almería , Spain
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Drug information, misinformation, and disinformation on social media: a content analysis study. J Public Health Policy 2018; 39:343-357. [PMID: 29795521 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-018-0131-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Dissemination of misleading drug information through social media can be detrimental to the health of the public. This study, carried out in Bahrain, evaluated the truthfulness of 22 social media claims about drugs (72.7%), dietary supplements (22.7%), and toxic bisphenol-A (4.5%). They circulated on WhatsApp platform, as case studies. We categorized claims as objectively true, false, or potentially misleading. The content analysis revealed that "potentially misleading" claims were the most frequent messages (59.1%). They tend to exaggerate the efficacy or safety without sufficient evidence to substantiate claims. False claims (27.3%) were likely due to unfair competition or deception. Overall, 13.6% of the messages were objectively true claims that could withstand regulatory scrutiny. Majority of the drug-related messages on social media were potentially misleading or false claims that lacked credible evidence to support them. In the public interest, regulatory authorities should monitor such information disseminated via social media platforms.
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Southwell BG, Parvanta SA, Johnson MM, O'Donoghue AC, Sullivan HW, Ray SE, Soloe CS, Davis CN, McKenna N. Assessing hearing and cognition challenges in consumer processing of televised risk information: Validation of self-reported measures using performance indicators. Prev Med Rep 2018; 11:145-147. [PMID: 30003013 PMCID: PMC6039885 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Public health researchers face important challenges if they wish to include measures of hearing or cognitive ability in risk communication studies. We sought validity evidence for self-report measures of hearing and cognitive ability by comparing those measures to performance-based measures and risk information recall. We measured hearing ability (with audiologist-assisted assessment and self report), cognitive ability (with an established performance task and self report), and reactions to direct-to-consumer prescription drug promotion with adults 18 and older (n = 1064) in North Carolina, USA, in 2017. We found moderate correspondence between self-reported hearing loss and audiologist-assessed hearing loss. Both measures also showed a small negative association with recall of presented risk information. Cognitive ability results suggested less substantial correspondence between self report and performance task and the measures differed in predicting risk recall. Our results suggested a moderately efficient measure for hearing ability for research on risk information exposure and retention, and yet also suggested the need for caution regarding future use of self-reported cognitive ability as a substitute for a performance-based measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Southwell
- RTI International, USA.,Duke University, USA.,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
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Powell D, Keil M, Brenner D, Lim L, Markman EM. Misleading Health Consumers Through Violations of Communicative Norms: A Case Study of Online Diabetes Education. Psychol Sci 2018; 29:1104-1112. [PMID: 29757711 DOI: 10.1177/0956797617753393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Communication is a cooperative endeavor that goes well beyond decoding sentences' literal meaning. Listeners actively construe the meaning of utterances from both their literal meanings and the pragmatic principles that govern communication. When communicators make pragmatically infelicitous statements, the effects can be similar to paltering-misleading speech that evokes false inferences from true statements. The American Diabetes Association's (ADA's) "Diabetes Myths" website provides a real-world case study in such misleading communications. Calling something a myth implies that it is clearly false. Instead, the ADA's "myths" are false only because of some technicality or uncharitable reading. We compared participants' baseline knowledge of diabetes with that of participants who read either the ADA's myths or the myths rewritten as questions that do not presuppose the statement is false. As predicted, exposure to the ADA's "myths," but not to the rephrased questions, reduced basic knowledge of diabetes. Our findings underscore the need to consider psycholinguistic principles in mass communications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Keil
- 2 Department of Education, Stanford University
| | - Dru Brenner
- 1 Department of Psychology, Stanford University
| | - Liliana Lim
- 1 Department of Psychology, Stanford University
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