Practical Training at a Hospital Pharmacy Improved the Drug Information Literacy of Pharmacy Students / 医薬品情報学

ABSTRACT

<b>Objective: </b>Drug information literacy is necessary for pharmacists.  This study investigated the effect of practical training on the drug information literacy of pharmacy students.<br><b>Methods: </b>We conducted practical training in the drug information room of hospital pharmacy.  Then we asked the students two questions before and after the training.  We scored the drug information responses of students using four-point rating scales based on objective criteria.  We compared the scores obtained before and after training.  In addition, we researched the realization of several secondary and tertiary sources using a visual analog scale (VAS).  We then compared VAS findings before and after the training.<br><b>Results: </b>The score for drug information responses was significantly improved.  For sources other than MEDLINE (Pub Med), the VAS score also improved.  The students were aware of the information on package inserts before training.  There was significant improvement in awareness of books about pregnancy and lactation (e.g. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation) after training.  However, there were significant individual differences in awareness of MEDLINE, Up To Date, and the Cochrane Library.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>This practical training experience improved the drug information literacy of pharmacy students.  Before training, there were significant deficiencies in the process of literature search.  Therefore, this training was effective for advancement in drug information literacy of pharmacy students.