Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Drug–Dietary Supplement and Drug–Herbal Product Interactions

Abstract

Given the widespread use of dietary supplements (DS) and herbal products (HP), healthcare professionals (HCPs) will increasingly encounter patients who use these preparations with conventional drugs and who need their services to reduce the consequences of adverse therapeutic outcomes. The aim of our survey was to assess the knowledge and behaviors of HCPs regarding the risk of potential drug–dietary supplement (DDSIs) and drug–herbal product (DHPIs) interactions. This cross-sectional survey collected data via on paper-based questionnaire among general practitioners (GPs) (n = 105), specialty doctors (n = 87) and nurses (n = 154). The HCPs were mostly familiar with the interaction of doxycycline with magnesium (83%) and were least familiar with interaction of warfarin with glucosamine (14%). The results on DDSIs and DHPIs knowledge showed that GPs scored significantly higher than nurses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), while specialty doctors scored significantly higher than nurses only on DDSIs knowledge (p < 0.001). Only 28% of respondents reported that they often or always ask patients on drug therapy about the use of DS or HP, and 25% of respondents record such data in the medical documentation of patients. Our results showed that HCPs have sufficient knowledge about most major DDSIs and DHPIs, but insufficient knowledge about most moderate interactions. However, their overall knowledge and behavior regarding the risk of these interactions indicate the need for further continuing education and training.

Knowledge and Beliefs about Herb/Supplement Consumption and Herb/Supplement–Drug Interactions among the General Population, including Healthcare Professionals and Pharmacists: A Systematic Review and Guidelines for a Smart Decision System

“…Most studies used a correlational/comparative design. Specifically, 37 followed a cross-sectional design [ 2 , 7 , 10 , 30 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ] ( Table 1 ) and two followed experimental designs [ 43 , 94 ] ( Table 2 ). Three studies used qualitative methodology [ 95 , 96 , 97 ] and two used mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research designs [ 98 , 99 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Regarding data collection procedures, most of the data were collected through questionnaires/surveys [ 7 , 10 , 30 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 98 ]. In other studies, data were collected through interviews [ 2 , 61 , 96 , 99 ] and three of these studies used focus groups [ 92 , 95 , 97 ].…”

“…Knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, or perceptions about the use of NP, NS, DS, and HM were found in 41 studies [ 2 , 7 , 10 , 30 , 43 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 95 , 98 , 99 ]. The interactions were found in 24 studies [ 7 , 30 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 72 , 73 , 75 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 90 , 93 , 94 , 97 ].…”

“…In terms of the participants, 13 studies included pharmacists [ 30 , 61 , 69 , 70 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 80 , 82 , 86 , 89 , 90 , 94 ], 12 studies included the general population [ 10 , 43 , 62 , 68 , 72 , 76 , 84 , 85 , 88 , 92 , 95 , 98 ], 11 studies included a variety of healthcare workers [ 63 , 66 , 67 , 71 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 96 , 99 ], and 9 studies included patients with various conditions [ 2 , 7 , 64 , 65 , 83 , 87 , 91 , 93 , 97 ].…”

Dietary Supplements Use among Serbian Undergraduate Students of Different Academic Fields

“…Although the pharmacy is the most common place to purchase DSs, previous systematic reviews indicated that pharmacist knowledge about DSs is generally without the actual evidence levels of their efficacy, quality, and safety [ 48 , 49 ]. Therefore, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals need continuous education through curriculum enhancement programs and post-graduation training [ 50 ].…”