JNSS 2020, 11(3-4):70-76 | DOI: 10.32725/jnss.2020.009

Determinants of older people's preferences for dispensing doctors

Lukas Richter1,*, Vera Hartmann2
1 Vienna University of Economics and Business, Institute for Sociology and Social Research, Vienna, Austria
2 University of Vienna, Department of Sociology, Vienna, Austria

Objectives: Dispensing doctors (DDs) are a central part of the medication supply in Austria. Nevertheless, they are controversial and research pays little attention to perspectives of user-groups, especially older people. Therefore, this article deals with determinants of older people's approval of dispensing doctors.

Methods: For this purpose, data from a telephone survey with people over 60 years in Lower Austria are used and evaluated by means of a logit model.

Results: The results show that accessibility of medicines is a major reason for the preference of DDs. Key factors are availability of a pharmacy in close proximity (OR: 0.44), independent use of a car (OR: 1.54) and individual mobility due to health reasons (OR: 1.14).

Discussion: DDs are important for older people in terms of a spatially close drug supply. A pharmacy at the place of residence only outweighs the preference for DDs if it is actually accessible for older people (taking low travel costs into account).

Conclusions: The aim must be to improve access to medicines in all communities where there is no pharmacy within a reasonable distance for people with health problems or those with restricted mobility.

Keywords: Dispensing doctors; Lower Austria; Medication supply; Older people; Perceived age
Grants and funding:

The telephone survey was co-funded by the state government.

Received: June 12, 2020; Accepted: November 5, 2020; Published: September 1, 2020  Show citation

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Richter L, Hartmann V. Determinants of older people's preferences for dispensing doctors. Journal of Nursing, Social Studies, Public Health and Rehabilitation. 2020;11(3-4):70-76. doi: 10.32725/jnss.2020.009.
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