Table 2 Examples of codes, sub-categories and categories from content analysis of participants’ experiences
From: Self-medication among the elderly in Iran: a content analysis study
Theme | Self-medication | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Categories | Enabling health system | Patient’s attitudes towards disease, treatment and physicians | |||
Subcategories | Confusion in choosing a care provider | Patient confusion after the visit | Unregulated availability of medication | Underrating disease | Considering medication safe and effective |
Codes | Choosing physicians based on their popularity | Patient unawareness about disease and treatment processes | Purchasing prescription medication from the pharmacy without a prescription | Believing that certain mild diseases do not require a physician | Not counting herbal and traditional medicines as medication |
Choosing physicians recommended by one’s social circle | Failure to provide instructions for using the drug | Pharmacies prescribing medication for patients | Believing that the disease will resolve spontaneously | Assuming vitamins to be good for everyone | |
Choosing physicians recommended by other patients | Failure to provide instructions for dealing with side effects | Obtaining medication in amounts more than necessary | Relating disease to age | Assuming painkillers to be safe | |