Description:
<jats:p>Background Use of the Internet in health communication provides an opportunity for more effective discussions, consequently Internet forums are potential sources of drug-related information for the patients. However, we must consider the possibility of misinformation that exists in the virtual environment. We explore patients’ perceptions and attitudes towards metoprolol as stated on the Internet. We equated patients’ opinions published on the Internet with written information available in Poland for patients and physicians. Methods This is an exploratory, qualitative study. Data was analyzed thematically. Themes were identified inductively from the data as described by experts in the field of qualitative studies. To obtain data from a variety of individuals, they were collected from three websites that were publicly available and patient-directed. Results Five themes were identified: weight gain, impact on sleep and mood, interactions between alcohol and drugs, using metoprolol during gestation, and a connection between sexual dysfunction and pharmacotherapy. Patients described their concerns as associated directly with the pharmacotherapy. Patients declared that their physician had no time to explain drug-related problems during the examination. In the Consumer Medicine Information (leaflets), all the information that could prove beneficial for solving a patient's confusion, misinterpretations and concerns, can be found. Conclusions Internet forums are not reliable sources of medicine-related information. Most opinions included in this study presented as poor quality and should be considered potentially risky for the patients and might be unsafe in the field of public health issues. Further study should be based on quantitative methods or triangulation concept.</jats:p>