A Survey of Current Perceptions of Drug Information Practice and Training

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the current perceptions of drug information practice and training. Methods Electronic surveys were sent to 417 pharmacists who likely would have drug information responsibilities. The survey collected information regarding job responsibilities, perceived importance of each responsibility to drug information practice, type of postgraduate training received to prepare for responsibilities, and perceived adequacy of training. Results There were 206 survey respondents. The most frequently cited primary job responsibilities were providing instruction to students and staff, operating drug information centers, and responding to drug information queries. Most respondents felt that educational instruction, pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee support, and responding to drug information questions were very important to drug information practice. On-the-job experience was cited as the most frequent source of training. Of the respondents, 46% reported completion of a pharmacy practice residency and 40% reported completion of a drug information specialty residency, with 14% completing both. Fifteen percent of respondents had no postgraduate training. Most respondents felt prepared for current job responsibilities after postgraduate training, with the exceptions of information systems support, pharmacoeconomic evaluations, and clinical outcomes research. Conclusion Despite earlier recommendations, drug information job responsibilities within the study sample have changed little over the past decade. Respondents felt that most of their job responsibilities are important to drug information practice and that postgraduate training adequately prepared them for most of these responsibilities. However, only 40% of respondents received specialized training in drug information practice.

Physicians’ Perception of Drug Information Resources in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi-UAE

“…For instance, a previous study conducted in Asian countries ranked drug information first followed by CME as the primary source of preferred drug information by physicians [14]. However, in this study CME ranked 46% versus 28% for drug information [12], in light of the fact that drug information tends to be more detailed and focused [15]. There may be several reasons for this finding.…”

“…Health Authority Abu Dhabi CME Program, Pharmaceutical sponsored programs, and through academia. Lastly, although physician experiences with pharmacists was quite positive [16], in a study conducted in a nearby country, only 54% of physicians agreed that pharmacists were a reliable source of information [15].…”

Information seeking behavior and awareness among physicians regarding drug information centers in Saudi Arabia

“…It has been reported that the DIC of the largest and flagship tertiary care setting in the Saudi Arabia previously received merely 139 queries during one calendar year 6. However, physicians consider DIC pharmacists as a reliable source of information as they provide unbiased and factual information about drugs to the healthcare providers 2,23…”

Medical Information Specialists: Benchmarks in Practice

“…5 , 6 The drug information pharmacists benchmark survey demonstrated that job responsibilities have changed little and that only 40% of respondents received specialized drug information training, although respondents felt that their postgraduate training adequately prepared them for most drug information practice responsibilities. 5 The medical liaison benchmark survey demonstrated that there are similarities in medical liaison positions across the industry in areas such as organizational structure, job responsibilities, and credentials. 6 Both surveys provided further insights for their respective fields as well as valuable data about current trends in practice.…”