Different development of general beliefs about medicines during undergraduate studies in medicine, nursing and pharmacy

Objective: To analyze differences in general beliefs about medicines between healthcare students and to see if health education was of importance to general beliefs about medicines. Method: The participants were Students of medicine, pharmacy, pharmaceutical bioscience, dispensing pharmacy, nursing and economics (comparison group) at the University of Gothenburg. Data were collected twice in 2003 and 2005. A questionnaire Was used comprising background questions and the general part of Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 460 of 642 (71.7%) first-year and 293 of 398 (73.6%) third-year students. Over 70% were women and two-thirds were under 25 years of age. Medical and pharmacy students saw medicines as less harmful than nursing students did. Stage of education was also important: third-year medical and pharmacy students saw medicines as more beneficial and less harmful than first-year students did. Experience of medicine use was relevant to general beliefs about medicines. Conclusion: Different beliefs exist between healthcare professions owing to different types and stages of education, which could result in different messages being given to the patient. Practice implications: It is important to educate future healthcare professionals about the potential effect of beliefs on communication. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.