Resumen

MAGALHAES, Alexandra; LUNET, Nuno  y  SILVA, Susana. Teachers’ social representations on rational use of medicines. Arq Med [online]. 2014, vol.28, n.4, pp.92-98. ISSN 2183-2447.

After noting the misuse of drugs, harming the health of people and wasting resources, and the lack of basic policies in this area, since 2001 the World Health Organization suggests an investment in health education to promote rational use of medicines. The aim of this study was to understand the social representations of teachers regarding the rational use of medicines. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers who had responsibilities in health education in Porto, Portugal, between January and May 2012. The participants were inquired about the meanings attributed to the rational use of medicines and the knowledge and attitudes on generic medicines, medicinal products not subject to medical prescription and medicines purchased over the internet, given the respective specificities regarding safety, effectiveness and ease of access. data were subject to a thematic content analysis, noting the frequency of similar responses and excerpts most illustrative. This study revealed gaps in specific knowledge about the rational use of medicines and heterogeneous reports on mediation by health professionals and adherence to therapy. There was a predominance of references to personal experiences and knowledge obtained empirically. The references to the functioning and regulation of the drug market were scarce. Knowledge of the medication and the disease were recognized as mandatory conditions for a rational use of medicines, which was hampered by easy access to medicines, the availability of products with questionable safety and efficacy, self-medication and patients’ unwillingness to consult health professionals. Health education was considered essential to optimize rational use of medicines.

Palabras clave : rational use of medicines; health education; social representation.

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