Perceptions of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising among advanced practice nurses

Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising has been asserted to impact the patient-provider relationship, but most research has focused on physicians; this study was an initial examination of the perspective of advanced practice nurses (APNs). Results indicated that APNs were more likely to claim a harmful, rather than helpful, effect on the patient-provider relationship, although the majority held a neutral view. Respondents simultaneously agreed that advertisements could facilitate positive patient behaviors while also creating misinformed and demanding patients.