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Background: The present study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare providers regarding adverse drug reaction reporting and pharmacovigilance in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, it’s a observational, KAP cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. The KAP questionnaires was developed toward pharmacovigilance and ADRs and were used to assess the medical professionals.Results: Only 64% of doctors, 52% PG’s and 40% of nurses knew the correct knowledge regarding Pharmacovigilance (PhV). Regarding the attitude, all the respondents think reporting of ADR is a very necessary. 98% of doctors,80% of postgraduates and 96% of nurses have experienced ADR in the patient in their professional practice but reporting of same is very less. The factors discouraging them from reporting ADR’s was also assessed. 34% said difficult to decide whether ADR has occurred or not, 34% said lack of time, 17%- no remuneration and 15% said a single unreported case may not affect ADR database.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that knowledge and attitude towards pharmacovigilance is gradually improving among medical professionals, but unfortunately the actual practice of ADR reporting is still deficient among them.
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Background: Pharmacology is one of the most clinically applied subjects which are highly volatile. Hence new methodologies have to be introduced in medical curriculum which must be in line with the students’ preferences. The study aimed to determine the opinion of students regarding the teaching of pharmacology, the best way of knowing and retaining the subject and application of the subject in future practice.Methods: The study will be conducted at private Medical college in Mangalore. It is an observational, KAP cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Convenient sampling method is used in which 140 Second year MBBS students were enrolled. SPSS version 21 was used to generate tables and graphs. Results of the study are based on descriptive statistics.Results: Questions which were not answered were taken as invalid response. Results show that majority preferred newer learning methodology, case-based learning, integrated teaching were more appealing, and peer associated teaching like group discussion was better for applied topics. Attitude of students in learning has shifted from traditional text book to the recent concept of knowledge sharing.Conclusions: In general students’ perceptions regarding learning pharmacology was observed to be positive. The study highlights the need for interactive teaching. Practical sessions can be used to teach basic concepts and rational use of drugs. Knowledge seeking behaviour needs improvisation by teacher.
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Background: A wide and gradual variation exists periodically in the patterns of pharmacotherapy among patients admitted with CVDs in CCU. Periodic evaluation of drug utilization in the CCU is necessary for optimization of health care system, proper use of resources and making prescription policy.Methods: It was retrospective and prospective study. Study was carried out at Tertiary care hospital in Mangalore. Retrospective study period was from 1/07/2010 till 31/12/2010 and Prospective study duration was from 1/01/2016 till 30/06/2016. Patients from CCU were participants of this study.Results: Data of total 278 patients were taken, out of which 138 patients from 2010 and 140 patients in 2016 were analyzed respectively and were compared among drug therapy for IHD - Nitrates, dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel), dyslipidemic drugs and beta blockers remain drug of choice in both retrospective and prospective study. But, anticoagulant (heparin/ LMWH) use increased in prospective studies. In Heart failure - nitrates, antiplatelet, dyslipidemic drugs followed by inotropes and diuretics was used in both study. Cardiomyopathy was managed with diuretics, ACEIs, and nitrates in both retrospective and prospective study.Conclusions: In conclusion, predominance of male gender and poly-pharmacy were observed. However, it has identified areas to further rationalize and optimize patterns of polypharmacy and evidence based use of medications like beta blockers, anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents and antiarrythmisc. The results on the major determinants of cardiovascular drug use in CCU matched with the existing indications and cautions for use with each drug class.
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Background: Oral cancers form nearly 30% of the cancers. The most effective way of combating oral cancer is by early diagnosis followed by concurrent chemo-radiotherapy which is the most popular approach in current practice. The adverse effects seen in oral cancer patient’s due to their treatment are nausea & vomiting, mucositis, constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue & radiation dermatitis. Polypharmacy is due to variety of treatment options in oral cancer patients, which needs to be addressed.Methods: Over a period of 18 months, the in-patient records of 79 patients with oral cancers, admitted to oncology ward of Justice K. S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Mangalore, were scrutinized and the data collected in a specially designed proforma. Descriptive analysis of the data was done.Results: Required data was collected from 79 patients, out of which 55.7% of the patients underwent surgery and later received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Most commonly seen adverse effects due to treatment were weight loss (75.9%), reduced appetite (67.1%), fatigue (75.9%), pain (79.7%) and skin discoloration (50.6%), etc. Various classes of adjuvant drugs were used for complications caused due to the treatment of oral cancers. Drugs like topical applicant /mouth washes constituted the bulk of the prescriptions (22%) followed by nutritional supplements (15.34%), NSAID/opioids (12.76%) hematinic (12.59 %) and other groups of drugs were also used.Conclusions: Present study helped us to plan evidence based strategies to reduce or prevent post treatment complications. Most of the adverse effects were treated accordingly to keep the patient comfortable.