The Role of Pharmaceutical Education on Improving Drug Usage Patterns Among the Residents

Asen Hussein  Salih

doi:10.51699/9z1qh595

Authors

Asen Hussein Salih

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51699/9z1qh595

Keywords:

rational drug use, resident doctors, pharmaceutical education, medication safety, drug–drug interactions, clinical pharmacology, rational prescribing

Abstract

Background : Rational use of medicines is an important part of safe and effective healthcare.(1) Resident doctors are often involved in prescribing and hence need to have adequate knowledge of drug interactions, dose adjustment, pediatric dosing, renal and hepatic impairment, polypharmacy, adverse drug reactions and medication safety.(2)Continuing pharmaceutical and clinical pharmacology education may also help to maintain and reinforce these competencies.

Objective : To evaluate the knowledge of resident doctors about rational and safe use of medicines and to find out areas where education of pharmaceutical and clinical pharmacology may need to be strengthened.

Methods : A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 60 resident doctors working in various clinical departments. Data were collected electronically using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The questionnaire included demographic and educational characteristics and contained 28 knowledge-based questions divided into seven domains: drug-drug interactions, dose adjustment, pediatric dosing, renal and hepatic impairment, polypharmacy, adverse drug reactions and medication safety, and rational prescribing. The knowledge score was given a score of one point for each correct answer with a maximum knowledge score of 28.

Results The overall knowledge performance was high. Among 60 respondents, 41 (68.3%) were male and 32 (53.3%) were aged 26–30 years. Previous formal education or training in rational drug use or clinical pharmacology was reported by 37 (61.7%). Internet/mobile applications were the most commonly reported medication information source (47/60, 78.3%). Correct responses varied across knowledge items: The overall accuracy for the drug–drug interaction section was 65.0% ,75.2% for dose adjustment, 86.0% for pediatric dosing, 82.0% for renal and hepatic considerations, 95.3% for polypharmacy, 96.7% for adverse drug reactions and medication safety, and 100% for rational prescribing. Seventy percent of participants reported having received formal education in rational drug use or clinical pharmacology after graduation. The comparatively lower performance was observed in the drug–drug interaction domain.

Conclusion : Resident doctors demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding rational and safe medication use. However, drug–drug interactions represented a relative area of weakness and should remain a priority for continuing pharmaceutical and clinical pharmacology education. Regular educational sessions, access to reliable drug-information resources, and collaboration with pharmacists or clinical pharmacists may further strengthen medication safety.

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