ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance (PV) is the activities and scientific studies conducted to detect, evaluate, understand or prevent adverse reactions and other drug-related problems. AIM: To define the awareness and experiences of the clinicians on PV and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in Turkey. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and analytical. Data were obtained through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent via e-mail. The survey was sent to 2030 physicians and 670 participated. RESULTS: The most appropriate definition of PV was correctly defined by 53.9% of the participants. The most important goal of PV was correctly defined by 54.9% of the participants, and 27.3% of the participants were aware of the Turkish Pharmacovigilance Center. Nonsurgical physicians had better PV knowledge than surgical physicians. A total of 80.9% of the physicians who encountered ADRs, filled in the ADR notification form, and 8.8% received training on how to fill in the form. PV knowledge of the clinicians was not sufficient. Although half of the physicians encountered ADRs, the rates of seeing and filling in the ADR form were low. CONCLUSION: Few of the physicians followed the current information about PV. The results provide more comprehensive data on PV practices and ADR reporting at a national level.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Considering the growing use of imaging modalities and contrast agents, radiologists are prone to encounter adverse drug reactions (ADR). In the current study, we mainly aim to evaluate the knowledge of radiologists regarding pharmacovigilance (PV). Also, we intend to gather information about their previous ADR experiences. Secondarily, we hope to increase the awareness about contrast-medium-related ADRs and attract attention to the importance of properly reporting these ADRs. METHODS: A survey was generated by using an online survey webpage, and the relevant link was e-mailed to radiologists and radiology residents. The survey begins with a short explanation about the study. The second section contains questions about PV knowledge level, and the final section aims to gather information about the experienced ADRs. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 202 participants. 65.3% stated that they were aware of PV. 24.8% of the participants said that they know the national PV program. 97% told that they knew the term ADR. 66.3% of the participants encountered an ADR. 53.7% of them reported these ADRs. 70.8% of them reported these ADRs to a clinician. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists encounter ADRs almost as frequently as the other doctors. Their awareness about PV is similar with other healthcare professionals. They have fewer information about TUFAM and PvCPs. Radiologists generally prefer to communicate with a clinician about an ADR. Overall condition of radiologists about PV is quite similar with other healthcare professionals and education can improve it, as for the others. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Radiologists encounters ADRs almost as frequently as the other doctors. Overall condition of radiologists about PV is quite similar with other healthcare professionals and education can improve it, as for the others.
