Information needs and perceptions of medicines and illness

The book focuses on patients'' perceptions about medicines and illness and on information desires patients may feel when dealing with medicines. These concepts are explored in the context of different cultures and their consequences on adherence behaviours debated. A possible model of service delivery is proposed to improve the rational use of medicines. The content of this book is extremely useful for researchers as it provides an overview of research methods applied in health care whilst also focusing on cross-cultural adaptation methods and validation of measurement scales. It provides historical and up-to-date information on the functioning of the health care system in the UK and in Portugal while describing in greater detail the way pharmacy practice has evolved.