Rational Drug Use and E-Health Literacy Levels of Inpatients of Internal Medicine Services

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 3, 517 - 523, 30.09.2025

Derya Çınar , Demet Ayar

https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1516741

Abstract

Objective: Health professionals can provide opportunities to increase the level of e-health literacy by accessing accurate health information on the internet to improve the attitudes and behaviors of rational drug use in the disease management of individuals with chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine the rational drug use and e-health literacy levels of individuals with chronic diseases.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at a training and research hospital of a university in Turkey between March and July 2023. Hospitalized in internal medicine services and with at least one chronic disease were included 381 patients in the study. The study data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, and Rational Drug Use Scale, and E-Health Literacy Scale.
Results: The average age of the patients was 53.44±16.48 years. Of these patients, 60.1% were women and 19.9% had a diagnosis of endocrine system disease. While the average score of the patients on rational drug use was moderate. their e-health literacy levels were found to be low. A weak levels positive correlation was detected between rational drug use and e-health literacy (r=.106. p=.03).
Conclusion: It was concluded that rational drug use among individuals with chronic diseases is moderate and e-health literacy is low. Improving rational drug use and e-health literacy in chronic disease management are important strategies for reducing health expenditures and patient care burden.

Keywords

Rational drug use , health literacy , chronic diseases

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