# Patients’ Perspective of Medication Safety in Hungary: A Netnography-Based Mixed-Method Content Analysis

## TL;DR

Hungarian patients mainly worry about medication safety due to poor access and communication with healthcare providers, especially in gynecology and gastroenterology.

## Contribution

This study introduces netnography as a scalable method to identify patient-reported medication safety concerns in online discussions.

## Key findings

- Patients focus on access barriers and communication issues rather than system-level safety problems.
- Gynecology and gastroenterology are the main therapeutic areas where medication safety concerns arise.
- Healthcare professionals are underrepresented in online medication safety discussions.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
A netnography-based mixed-method content analysis of Hungarian online patient discussions (5174 comments, 2020–2023) revealed that medication safety concerns are predominantly centered on issues related to access to healthcare and communication between patients and providers. Patient-reported concerns regarding medication safety are primarily motivated by barriers to access and ineffective communication; other safety domains at the system level are minimally represented in online discourse.Online discussions regarding medication safety are predominantly led by patients, with limited involvement from healthcare professionals, thereby exposing a notable deficiency in professional guidance and presence within the digital environment. Medication safety concerns are concentrated within specific therapeutic areas, notably gynecology and gastroenterology. These concerns are closely aligned with corresponding ATC main groups, thereby facilitating targeted, patient-centered interventions.

A netnography-based mixed-method content analysis of Hungarian online patient discussions (5174 comments, 2020–2023) revealed that medication safety concerns are predominantly centered on issues related to access to healthcare and communication between patients and providers. Patient-reported concerns regarding medication safety are primarily motivated by barriers to access and ineffective communication; other safety domains at the system level are minimally represented in online discourse.

Online discussions regarding medication safety are predominantly led by patients, with limited involvement from healthcare professionals, thereby exposing a notable deficiency in professional guidance and presence within the digital environment. Medication safety concerns are concentrated within specific therapeutic areas, notably gynecology and gastroenterology. These concerns are closely aligned with corresponding ATC main groups, thereby facilitating targeted, patient-centered interventions.

What are the implications of the main findings?
A netnography-based mixed-method content analysis has demonstrated itself as a practical and scalable approach for identifying real-world patient safety signals, providing actionable insights to guide medication safety strategies and patient engagement initiatives.Empowering patients as active partners in medication safety (e.g., through better education, error reporting, and feedback) can help prevent errors and improve patient safety outcomes.

A netnography-based mixed-method content analysis has demonstrated itself as a practical and scalable approach for identifying real-world patient safety signals, providing actionable insights to guide medication safety strategies and patient engagement initiatives.

Empowering patients as active partners in medication safety (e.g., through better education, error reporting, and feedback) can help prevent errors and improve patient safety outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Medication-related safety incidents rank among the most prevalent patient safety concerns globally. In addition to healthcare professionals, patients also play a vital role in ensuring safe medication practices. To effectively engage them, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of their knowledge and perspectives. Methods: We conducted a netnography-based mixed-method content analysis study within the Hungarian online environment to identify key patient concerns. A total of 5174 relevant comments and discussions were analyzed (from 14 August 2020 to 14 August 2023), utilizing a medication safety framework based on Glies et al. The analysis was confined to publicly accessible online content related to oral medications and did not include demographic information about commenters. Results: The framework was applicable, though its representation was uneven. Patients predominantly focused on issues related to Access to services and Communication. Online discussions were primarily dominated by patients, with contributions from relatives and healthcare professionals being comparatively limited. The majority of concerns pertained to prescription medications, particularly in the fields of gynecology, internal medicine, and gastroenterology. ATC codes G and A were most frequently referenced, corresponding to the healthcare domains discussed. Conclusions: Initiatives aimed at enhancing medication safety should prioritize improving access and communication. Patients must be empowered as active agents in safety efforts; they can aid in preventing errors, reporting incidents, and offering feedback. Their engagement supports organizational learning and promotes safer healthcare delivery.