PhD Scientific Days 2026

Mental Health Sciences 1.

Patients’ Perspective of Medication Safety. A Netnography based mixed-method study

Name of the presenter

Báldy, Barbara

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Doctoral College of Semmelweis University, Mental Health Sciences Division, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Doctoral Program

Authors

Barbara Báldy¹
1: Doctoral College of Semmelweis University, Mental Health Sciences Division, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Doctoral Program

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Medication-related safety incidents rank among the most prevalent patient safety concerns globally. Despite growing recognition of patients' role in safe medication use, their perspectives remain underexplored, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries such as Hungary.
Aims: To assess netnography's validity for medication safety research; to test the Giles et al. (2020) patient-centered framework in the Hungarian context; to identify who participates in online medication safety discussions; to determine which medication categories, ATC groups, and healthcare sectors predominate; and to explore principal safety concerns patients express online.
Methods: A netnography-based mixed-method content analysis was conducted using publicly accessible Hungarian online discussions collected between August 2020 and August 2023. A total of 5,174 relevant comments were identified via structured keyword searches on SentiOne. Comments were coded using the Giles et al. framework, supplemented by classification of commenter identity, medication type, healthcare area, and ATC codes. A grounded theory-informed qualitative follow-up was applied to the dominant domains.
Result: The framework was applicable but unevenly distributed. Access to services (64.1%) and Communication (32.3%) dominated. Discussions were led predominantly by patients (90%), with minimal input from relatives (5.1%) and healthcare professionals (0.5%). Prescription medications were most discussed (61.6%), with gynecology, internal medicine, and gastroenterology as primary areas; ATC groups G and A were most referenced. Qualitative analysis revealed systematic barriers including long waiting times, dismissive clinical encounters, and insufficient medication counseling, driving patients toward online communities for peer support.
Conclusion: Netnography is a valid, scalable method for capturing real-world patient safety signals and the Giles et al. framework is applicable in the Hungarian context, though with uneven distribution reflecting local systemic challenges. Medication safety initiatives should prioritize access and patient-professional communication. Pharmacists' underutilized advisory role and patients' limited self-reflection on their safety responsibilities represent key areas for intervention.
Funding: The study was conducted as part of a PhD research.