Research on Factors Influencing Self-medication from UX Perspective

Self-medication is highly prevalent across various countries worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one-third of patients globally die due to improper self-medication practices, and one-seventh of patients are hospitalized as a result. This study primarily focused on China and Japan, utilizing User Experience (UX) analysis methodology, and conducted face-to-face interviews with 17 participants from nine countries regarding their experiences with self-medication in their respective nations. The investigation analyzed the reasons behind self-medication practices among patients in different countries and identified commonalities, summarizing them into a five-stage behavioral process. Self-medication behaviors are significantly associated with the laws, healthcare policies, and cultural customs of each country. To ensure safe self-medication practices, this study emphasizes the indispensability of health literacy for both patients and pharmacists.