ABSTRACT
Background: Irrational use of prescribing medicines is on the rise due to many factors. The Resident doctors are exposed to variety of prescribing patterns in their daily clinical practice. Aim and Objectives: The study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of rational use of medicine among Resident doctors in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among Resident doctors at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Permission was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The participants were explained about the study and consent was taken. Identity of the residents was kept confidential. Questionnaire was designed to obtain information about the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Rational Use of Medicines (RUM). The data were recorded and analyzed, and the results are explained in frequency and percentage. Results: About 98% were aware about the term RUM and 96% practiced it, only 9% had National List of Essential Medicines of India available at their work place and 68% were able to correctly name the parts of the prescription slip. 88% respondents were aware about Essential Medicines (EM) and 86% prescribed them. Conclusion: In our study, majority of the Resident doctors were aware about EM and their importance. However, the level of understanding related to P-drug concept and existence of Essential Medicine List was limited. Thus, it is necessary to implement institutional guidelines to achieve more appropriate prescribing patterns, to promote prescription based on the list of EM.
ABSTRACT
Background: Undergraduate medical students acquire knowledge about use of drugs during teaching sessions related to prescription of drugs. Appropriate selection of drugs from the available list of numerous formulations requires skill. This can be imparted using the concept of personal drugs (P-drugs). Knowledge of the price of drugs is important consideration in selection of drug. This paper describes method of introducing medical student to the concept of P-drugs, essential drug list (ED list) and economic aspects of drug utilization. Methods: Students are divided into groups, guided by faculty member. Each group is allotted a clinical case scenario with specific questions; students have to select suitable drugs which can be prescribed. They also have to search for the suitable drug included in the ED list and price of different brands of the same drug. The work done by the group is presented as a report to the whole class. Results: Each group presented the list of P-drugs and ED list and price of the drugs for the selected cases viz.: pharyngitis, urinary tract infection, hypertension, diabetes mellitus. After collecting the information on these aspects each group selected the most appropriate drug for the clinical condition allotted to them. Comparison of prices of various brands provided opportunity to learn about economic aspects of drug use. Conclusion: This method of study using patient oriented problems is a useful method to impart knowledge to medical students about concept of P-drugs, ED list and economic aspects of using drugs.