Medication safety perceptions in China: Media exposure, healthcare experiences, and trusted information sources

Objective: Amid ongoing medication safety concerns in China and limited research on public perceptions, this study investigates the correlations between media exposure, healthcare experiences, and individuals’ perceptions of medication safety. It also examines individuals’ reliance on information sources during safety crises. Methods: A multistage stratified random sampling was employed with the gross sample containing 3090 Chinese adults aged 18–60 years. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: Social media exposure was found to negatively correlate with perceptions of current medication safety and its perceived improvement, while exposure to television and print media showed positive correlations. Positive healthcare experiences were associated with improved medication safety perceptions. Among various information sources, healthcare professionals were deemed most trustworthy during medication safety incidents. Conclusions: Media exposure and personal healthcare experiences significantly shape individuals’ perceptions of medication safety in China, with healthcare professionals playing a crucial role in this context. Practice implications: Effective health crisis communication in China needs to be multifaceted, integrating traditional media and social media platforms to disseminate accurate information broadly. Additionally, healthcare professionals should be actively involved in crisis communication. Their role as trusted sources can be leveraged to clarify misconceptions, and reassure the public during medication safety incidents.