The Rational Practice of Medicine
Questionnaire Tool Form (Eijkelkamp, 2007).
#
Queries
Good – 3
OK – 2
Poor – 0
1
Awareness of the Product before use
2
Level of satisfaction with the product
3
Satisfaction with the Instructions mentioned on the product
4
Satisfaction with the way the product overcomes the health problem
5
Satisfaction with the cost of the product
6
Satisfaction with the quality of the product
7
Satisfaction with the delivery/mode of purchase of the product
8
Satisfaction with the way in which the product was utilized
9
Satisfaction with the user-friendliness of the product
10
Satisfaction with the support offered to the customers
11
Satisfaction that the product is safe
12
Satisfaction of the effect of the product on the environment
Total Score
References Scores
This Product
Good
25-36
OK
13-24
Satisfactory
7 to 12
Poor
0-6
This tool is a product evaluation form which can be used by the researchers for assessing a health product.
The first medical product that would be researched is Viagra ® (Sidenafil). This is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in males also improve tolerance to physical exercises by people affected with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Viagra belongs to the group of drugs phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and functions by improving the penile blood circulation during copulation. In patients with PAH, the blood flow in the lungs is increased thus helping to improve the tolerance towards exercises. In case Viagra is taken to treat erectile dysfunction, it should be taken several hours before meals. In case Viagra is taken to treat PAH, it should be consumed three times daily. The drug can be taken for longer periods of time, with adjustments in the dosage. However, the patient cannot suddenly stop the drug on their own, without medical advice (Medline Plus, 2008).
Viagra ® Scores
#
Queries
Good – 3
OK – 2
Poor – 0
1
Awareness of the Product before use
3
2
Level of satisfaction with the product
3
3
Satisfaction with the Instructions mentioned on the product
3
4
Satisfaction with the way the product overcomes the health problem
3
5
Satisfaction with the cost of the product
2
6
Satisfaction with the quality of the product
3
7
Satisfaction with the delivery/mode of purchase of the product
2
8
Satisfaction with the way in which the product was utilized
2
9
Satisfaction with the user-friendliness of the product
3
10
Satisfaction with the support offered to the customers
2
11
Satisfaction that the product is safe
2
12
Satisfaction of the effect of the product on the environment
2
Total Score
28
References Scores
This Product
Good
25-36
30 (Good)
OK
13-24
Satisfactory
7 to 12
Poor
0-6
Overall, it was found that the worked fine and hence the users were completely satisfied with the results of the products. The instructions mentioned on the products were also appropriate and drew the attention of the user. The users were satisfied with the quality and the general awareness of the product. The product was user-friendly; however, customers had a few concerns regarding the safety and the effect of the product on the environment. The overall score of the product was 30 which was Good. The most serious problems that were present with Viagra were with people affected with chest pain and cardiac disorders taking nitrates. Viagra has the risk of causing hypotension. Viagra can also cause several side-effects such as hearing loss, headache, abdominal pain, blurring of vision, etc. Besides, the users were also informed about the ability of the drug to treat erectile disorders and not cure it (Viagra.com, 2010).
The second medical product being assessed was Essiac® is an herbal decoction containing blessed thistle leaves (Burdock Root, Slippery Elm Inner Bark, Sheep Sorrel and Indian Rhubarb Root). It can be used in handling various conditions such as improving appetite, treating infections, inflammations and cancers. However, strong evidence-based studies are lacking, although preliminary studies show promising results. The safety and effectiveness of the medication has still not been established and in some patients the drug can be potentially dangerous (Essiac, 2001).
Essiac ® Scores
#
Queries
Good – 3
OK – 2
Poor – 0
1
Awareness of the Product before use
2
2
Level of satisfaction with the product
2
3
Satisfaction with the Instructions mentioned on the product
2
4
Satisfaction with the way the product overcomes the health problem
2
5
Satisfaction with the cost of the product
1
6
Satisfaction with the quality of the product
2
7
Satisfaction with the delivery/mode of purchase of the product
2
8
Satisfaction with the way in which the product was utilized
2
9
Satisfaction with the user-friendliness of the product
1
10
Satisfaction with the support offered to the customers
2
11
Satisfaction that the product is safe
1
12
Satisfaction of the effect of the product on the environment
1
Total Score
20
References Scores
This Product
Good
25-36
OK
13-24
20 (OK)
Satisfactory
7 to 12
Poor
0-6
The very fact that the drug was first given by a traditional medicine man has created some amount of anxiety in the medical fraternity to administer the drug for serious conditions such as cancer. However, the website marketing the product does mention about this fact. The FDA has not banned the product but has asked the consumers to contact the doctor before taking the medication for any health condition. The main risk of the drug is the development of allergic reactions. The drug cannot be administered to pregnant women as traditional it is used to cause the fetus aborted. People were scared of certain unknown and known side-effects of the drug and its ineffectiveness in treating certain medical conditions (Medline Plus, 2009).
References
Eijkelkamp (2007). Product Evaluation Form, Retrieved on May 8, 2010, from Web site: http://www.eijkelkamp.com/Portals/2/Eijkelkamp/More%20Information/product%20evaluation%20form%20e.pdf
Essiac Info (2001). Essiac, Retrieved on May 8, 2010, from Web site: http://www.essiacinfo.org/essiac.html
Medline Plus (2009). Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus L.), Retrieved on May 8, 2010, from Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-blessedthistle.html
Medline Plus (2009). Sildenafil, Retrieved on May 8, 2010, from Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a699015.html
Viagra.com (2010). Viagra, Retrieved on May 8, 2010, from Web site: http://www.viagra.com/index.aspx