|
Cardiac Patients’ Experiences with a Drug-Drug Interaction Application: A Qualitative Study
|
Fatemeh Bahramnezhad    , Ali Alizadeh , Negar Hassanzadeh , GolamRezza Hassanzadeh * |
| Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , gholamreza_hassanzadeh@yahoo.com |
|
|
Abstract: (17 Views) |
Background & aim: Patient safety, as one of the key pillars of quality care, plays a vital role in reducing medication errors and drug interactions, particularly among cardiac patients who are at high risk for adverse drug events. Despite the importance of this issue, patients’ experiences and the practical considerations involved in using drug interaction software in intensive care settings have not been fully explored. This qualitative study explores the experiences of cardiac patients who used such software, aiming to identify educational and clinical dimensions, challenges, and strategies to enhance medication safety and care quality.
Methods: This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach and was conducted with cardiac patients hospitalized in cardiac intensive care units and post–open-heart surgery units who had experience using drug interaction software. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis based on the steps proposed by Lundman and Graneheim (2004). The trustworthiness of the findings was ensured using Guba and Lincoln’s (1982) criteria, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability.
Results: Cardiac patients’ experiences with drug interaction software were categorized into four main themes. The first theme, software usability, included ease of use and response speed. Patients emphasized the simple and understandable interface, rapid performance without the need for complex training, and timely alerts, although occasional delays and the need for minor interface improvements were noted. The second theme, increased awareness and education, included improved understanding of medications and guidance on appropriate medication use. The software enhanced patients’ knowledge of medications and potential interactions and provided reminders about timing and correct use, although some reminders were repetitive or poorly aligned with patients' needs. The third theme, clinical and therapeutic effects, included improved medication management, treatment confidence, and interaction with the care team. Patients reported reduced side effects, more precise medication adjustments, increased confidence in their medication regimen and physician, and better coordination with healthcare providers. However, some alerts generated anxiety or uncertainty in decision-making. The fourth theme, limitations and challenges, included technical issues, communication problems, incomplete drug databases, and psychological and behavioral challenges. Patients reported problems such as software freezing, failure to save information, device incompatibility, insufficient drug data, and complex or ambiguous warning messages, which sometimes led to confusion and anxiety.
Conclusion: The experiences of cardiac patients indicate that drug interaction software can enhance medication safety and patient empowerment through ease of use, fast response, improved drug knowledge, and increased treatment confidence. However, technical problems, content limitations, and complex messages may hinder its effective use. Therefore, user-centered design, interface improvement, targeted training, and continuous support are essential to increase software effectiveness and improve the patient experience. These findings suggest that integrating technology with educational strategies represents a practical approach to improving medication safety and management in cardiac patients. |
Article number: 3 |
| Keywords: Drug Interactions, Polypharmacy, Heart Disease, Qualitative Research |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 1346 kb]
(6 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/08/28 | Accepted: 2026/04/15 | Published: 2026/05/9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
|
Ethics code: IR.TUMS.SHARIATI.REC.1404.037 Clinical trials code: Not applicable
Bahramnezhad F, Alizadeh A, Hassanzadeh N, Hassanzadeh G. Cardiac Patients’ Experiences with a Drug-Drug Interaction Application: A Qualitative Study. jccnursing 2025; 18 (3) : 3 URL: http://jccnursing.com/article-1-834-en.html
|
