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Tan YXF, Lim STY, Lim JL, Ng TTM, Chng HT. Drug information-seeking behaviours of physicians, nurses and pharmacists: A systematic literature review. Health Info Libr J 2023; 40:125-168. [PMID: 36655603 DOI: 10.1111/hir.12472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication use typically involves physicians prescribing, pharmacists reviewing, and nurses administering medications to patients. Drug information (DI) is often required during the process, with the various health care professionals (HCPs) seeking information differently according to their needs and familiarity with various resources. OBJECTIVE This systematic literature review aims to evaluate studies on drug information-seeking behaviour (ISB) of physicians, nurses and pharmacists to ascertain their DI needs, DI sources used, facilitators and barriers to DI-seeking. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase.com, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Library to identify eligible primary research articles published between January 2000 and May 2020. RESULTS The reviewed studies (N = 48) revealed that HCPs have a wide range of DI needs, with the top needs being similar across the three HCPs. Information sources used most often by all three groups were tertiary, followed by human and primary sources. Factors relating to the source characteristics were the most reported facilitators and barriers to DI-seeking. Some differences in drug ISB were also identified. CONCLUSION Our findings can also guide information providers and educators to optimize information provision. It may also facilitate effective communication amongst HCPs when obtaining DI from or providing DI to one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xin Fiona Tan
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Suzanne Tze Yin Lim
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jun Liang Lim
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Hui Ting Chng
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Qadus S, Naser AY, Al-Rousan R, Daghash A. Utilization of drug information resources among community pharmacists in Jordan: A cross-sectional study. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 30:1-7. [PMID: 35145341 PMCID: PMC8802090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacists are considered to be important sources of drug information (DI) for patients and other healthcare providers. This study aims to examine the characteristics of DI utilization for practicing pharmacists in Jordan and identify the main barriers that impede their ability to utilize them. METHOD A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Jordan between the 27th of November 2020 and 18th of January 2021. Our questionnaire was constructed to explore pharmacists' utilization patterns of DI resources, the types of DI resources they use and barriers impeding them. RESULTS A total of 1875 pharmacists participated in this study. Only one-fifth of the participating pharmacists reported that they referred to DI databases. The most commonly reported databases/websites were Drugs.com, Jordan FDA, and Medscape. The most commonly reported paper-based resources were Drugs in Jordan, Step up pharmacy, and British Pharmacopeia. The most commonly used mobile applications were Drugs.com, Medscape and Lexicomp. 44% of the pharmacists reported that they use DI resources fewer than five times per week and more than half of them (60.7%, n = 1138) reported that the day-shift was the shift that allowed them more time to use DI resources. Lack of time was the most common barrier (53.2%) that restricted the ability of pharmacists to use DI resources. CONCLUSION Using electronic resources is still deficient and far from optimum and interventions to improve the pharmacists' utilization of electronic drug databases are required. Universities and various pharmaceutical bodies are advised to train pharmacists on using DI databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Qadus
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdallah Y. Naser
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rabaa Al-Rousan
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ayah Daghash
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
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Smith C, van Velthoven MH, Truong ND, Nam NH, Anh VP, AL-Ahdal TMA, Hassan OG, Kouz B, Huy NT, Brewster M, Pakenham-Walsh N. How primary healthcare workers obtain information during consultations to aid safe prescribing in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002094. [PMID: 32337085 PMCID: PMC7170426 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We systematically reviewed the evidence on how primary healthcare workers obtain information during consultations to support decision-making for prescribing in low and lower middle-income countries. Methods We searched electronic databases, consulted the Healthcare Information For All network, hand searched reference lists, ran citation searches of included studies and emailed authors of identified papers. Two reviewers extracted data and appraised quality with relevant tools. Results Of 60 497 records found, 23 studies met our inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies were observational and nine were interventional. Frequently mentioned sources of information were books, leaflets, guidelines, aids and the internet. These sources were sometimes out of date and health workers reported being confused which to use. Internet access varied and even when it was available, use was limited by technical issues. Of the five electronic tools that were assessed, four had positive outcomes. Tools assisted prescribers with medicine selection and dosage calculations, which increased prescribing accuracy. The quality of reporting varied but was overall low. Discussion Studies indicated a lack of up-to-date and relevant medicine information in low and lower middle-income settings. Internet-based sources appeared to be useful when it is possible to download content for offline use and to update when there is internet access. Electronic tools showed promise, but their accuracy needs to be validated and they should focus on giving actionable advice to guide prescribers. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018091088.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Smith
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Michelle Helena van Velthoven
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Paediatrics, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Nguyen Duc Truong
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Obstetrics and Gynecologic Department, FV Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Hai Nam
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of General Surgery, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Vũ Phan Anh
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tareq Mohammed Ali AL-Ahdal
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Osama Gamal Hassan
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Basel Kouz
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Damascus Governorate, Syria
| | | | - Malcolm Brewster
- Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) network, Global Healthcare Information Network, Charlbury, UK
| | - Neil Pakenham-Walsh
- Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) network, Global Healthcare Information Network, Charlbury, UK
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Issues on Source, Access, Extent, and Quality of Information Available Among Pharmacists and Pharmacy Personnel to Practice Effectively. SOCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS OF PHARMACY IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7149654 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811228-1.00022-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This chapter describes the source, access, extent, and quality of information available among pharmacists and pharmacy personnel in developing countries to practice effectively. Our world today witnesses huge advancements in the information-related technologies and in the amount of medicines information available and accessible by all healthcare providers as well as the public. Remaining in the front line as medicines information providers represents great challenge for pharmacists. Scientific biomedical journals represent the core source of our knowledge about medicines. Textbooks and books represent the cornerstone for a user who has no or little basic information about certain topic. Today, the Internet is the most commonly used source of information for a variety of uses and topics. The literature available in our hand indicates the presence of medicines information centers in a variety of countries from the developing world. Manufacturers of medicines usually represent an important source of information on medicines specifically about the labeled and off-label indications. Every source of medicines information is having its specific points of strengths and weaknesses and an information user should be aware of that.
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Abstract
While pharmacovigilance systems have made substantial progress in the past several decades, all pharmacovigilance systems face a common set of ongoing challenges in drug safety surveillance in five principal interrelated areas: engaging the public, collaboration and partnerships, incorporating informatics, adopting a global approach, and assessing the impact of efforts. In broad terms, these challenges are not new. Rather, advances in science and technology, along with more demanding societal expectations, have changed the nature of these challenges and provided new opportunities to move the field forward. Differences in organization and levels of development, as well as regional differences, necessarily imply that a single approach is not suitable for all regions, though sharing of best practices can help each region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald J Dal Pan
- US Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Building 22, Room 4304, Silver Spring, MD, USA,
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Nissen L. Current status of pharmacist influences on prescribing of medicines. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2009; 66:S29-34. [DOI: 10.2146/ajhp080607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Nissen
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Wong PSJ, Ko Y, Sklar GE. Identification and Evaluation of Pharmacists' Commonly Used Drug Information Sources. Ann Pharmacother 2009; 43:347-52. [DOI: 10.1345/aph.1l333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Given the rate at which new medications are introduced to the market, as well as the diversity of existing drugs, pharmacists frequently need to consult drug information (Dl) sources. Currently, there is a lack of information about pharmacists' needs for and sources of DI in Singapore. Objective: To examine where practicing pharmacists in Singapore usually obtain DI and how useful and satisfactory the source is to pharmacists and to determine the kind of drug-related questions pharmacists usually receive. Methods: An online survey was sent to registered hospital and community pharmacists who were members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The survey consisted of questions about the pharmacists' demographics, what DI source they used most often, their satisfaction with that DI source, and how frequently they received various DI questions. Results: A total of 156 pharmacists responded to the survey, for a response rate of 27.4%. The majority (82.7%) of the respondents chose reference texts as their most commonly used DI source; of these, 38.0% used the Drug Information Handbook. Reference texts were mostly rated very comprehensive (34.1%) or somewhat comprehensive (54.3%), whereas Web sites or search engines were mostly rated somewhat comprehensive (69.6%) or brief (21.7%). Most pharmacists believed that the information from reference texts could usually (51.2%) or always (48.8%) be trusted. Community pharmacists received questions on over-the-counter drugs and comparisons of drug efficacy more frequently than did hospital pharmacists (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), whereas hospital pharmacists more frequently received questions on pharmacokinetics (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Most pharmacists in Singapore use reference texts when searching for general DI, and they find these texts more comprehensive and trustworthy than other available sources. The results also show that pharmacists in different settings receive different types of DI questions and have adequate resources to answer general DI questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu Ko
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore
| | - Grant E Sklar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; Principal Clinical Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, National University Hospital, Singapore
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