Revisiting the Role of Traditional, Electronic and Mobile-Based Communication Channels in the Pharmaceutical Industry of Lithuania

Authors

  • Vilte Auruskeviciene Professor and Vice –Rector for studies at ISM University of Management and Economics, Arklių st. 18, Vilnius, LT-01305, Science field: Social sciences, Marketing. Mob. +370 620 87549, e-mail: vilaur@ism.lt
  • Jovita Butkeviciene ISM University of Management and Economics, Arklių st. 18, Vilnius, LT-01305, Science field: Social sciences, Marketing. e-mail: Jovita.Butkeviciene@gmail.com
  • Laura Salciuviene Lecturer in Marketing at Lancaster University Management School, UK. Address: Lancaster, LA1 4YX, United Kingdom. Science field: Social sciences. Phone: +44(0) 01524 510688, e-mail: l.salciuviene@lancaster.ac.uk

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.26.5.12510

Keywords:

communication channels, pharmaceutical industry, dissemination of medical information, perceptions of general practitioners, Lithuania.

Abstract

The study revisits communication channels currently used to access medical information and investigates perceptions of general practitioners (GPs) about traditional, electronic and mobile-based channels in the context of Lithuania. A total of 254 GPs were surveyed. The findings suggest that the pharmaceutical companies still rely on pharmaceutical sales representatives to disseminate the newest information about prescription drugs. The results indicate that the leading experts in the healthcare industry contribute most to GPs’ drug-prescribing intentions and conferences organised by local and international scientific societies are considered to be the most reliable channels. Further, local websites designed for GPs have the highest perceived value among electronic and mobile-based communication channels. Statistically significant differences among different GPs’ age groups are confirmed regarding channel preferences and their reliability: international scientific conferences and international health journals are more popular and are perceived as more reliable among younger GPs compared to more senior GPs.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.26.5.12510

Additional Files

Published

2015-12-23

Issue

Section

COMMERCE OF ENGINEERING DECISIONS