Rational prescribing practice assessment among resident doctors in a tertiary care teaching hospital: a questionnaire based observational study

ABSTRACT

Background: One of the important factors in health policy is recognised to be rational use of medicines (RUM). Physicians can influence the health and well-being of patients by prescribing appropriate drug in right doses and they should be taught to prescribe rationally at the earliest of their professional carrier.Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out in SMHS hospital which is a tertiary-care teaching hospital associated with Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.Results: Out of 106 resident doctors enrolled in the study, 96.2% respondents were aware about the term essential medicines of India, and 47.6% had National List of Essential Medicines of India available at their work place. When the participants were questioned about the term RUM only 17% of them responded positively, but majority of the resident doctors (88.67%) were aware about the ingredients of the drugs they use to prescribe. Though only 3.7% of our participating doctors always use essential medicines during their prescription writing but majority of them (96.22%) would always use to inform the patient regarding disease, drug therapy and monitoring of drug therapy.Conclusions: Considering the fact that respondents are future prescribers they should be aware of all aspects about RUM and improper knowledge in certain areas of RUM is a matter of concern that needs to be addressed.