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The media influences patients’ medication requests and treatments, leading to an increase in demand for specific medications or tests. This is mainly due to direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals, which can result in patients requesting medication that may not be the most appropriate treatment. (Ventola, 2011).
This type of marketing influence affects nurse practitioners (NPs) and requires them to address patient requests based more on marketing than medical necessity. NPs must balance respecting patient autonomy with upholding evidence-based practice, educating patients about treatment limitations and risks, and guiding them toward more appropriate options.
For example, patients influenced by an expensive new drug advertisement may need counseling on generic alternatives.
Nurse practitioners can use the media to engage with patients, provide accurate health information, turn aside misinformation, and enhance patient engagement with treatment plans.
Integrating theories such as the Health Belief Model can also be beneficial. This model suggests that patients’ beliefs about health problems, perceived benefits of action, and barriers to action can predict health-related behaviors (Rosenstock, 1974). NPs can use this information to effectively communicate strategies and address concerns tailored to the patient, improving health outcomes.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: What ethical considerations should nurse practitioners consider when dealing with patient requests shaped by media influence?
Reference:
Ventola, C. L. (2011). Direct-to-Consumer pharmaceutical advertising: Therapeutic or toxic? Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 36(10), 669–684. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3278148/
Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical Origins of the Health Belief Model. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 328–335. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019817400200403
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