Seniors' uncertainty management of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising usefulness

Health Commun. 2009 Sep;24(6):494-503. doi: 10.1080/10410230903104277.

Abstract

This study provides insight into seniors' perceptions of and responses to direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising (DTCA) usefulness, examines support for DTCA regulation as a type of uncertainty management, and extends and gives empirical voice to previous survey results through methodological triangulation. In-depth interview findings revealed that, for most informants, DTCA usefulness was uncertain and this uncertainty stemmed from 4 sources. The majority had negative responses to DTCA uncertainty and relied on 2 uncertainty-management strategies: information seeking from physicians, and inferences of and support for some government regulation of DTCA. Overall, the findings demonstrate the viability of uncertainty management theory (Brashers, 2001, 2007) for mass-mediated health communication, specifically DTCA. The article concludes with practical implications and research recommendations.

MeSH terms

  • Advertising*
  • Aged
  • Community Participation*
  • Female
  • Florida
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Uncertainty*

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations