Needs and Utilization of Drug-Information Resources of Healthcare Providers in an Academic Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the drug-related information needs of healthcare providers (HCPs), their utilization of drug information resources as well as the main factors influencing the selection of resources.Methods: A total of 393 HCPs were conveniently selected and invited to complete a questionnaire. Stratified sampling was used for the three subpopulations of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. The questionnaire was coded, validated, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SAS version 9.2).Results: Of 450 HCPs approached, 393 completed the questionnaire (response rate 87%). Information related to drug dosage/administration, indications, and interactions is the most frequently required, 47%, 44%, and 34%, respectively. The majority of the sample perceived the Internet (69.47%) and electronic databases (67.43%) as “very useful.” Printed materials (46.56%) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) (44.78%) or calling the pharmacy (43.26%) were also useful resources of information followed by using electronic books and journals (38.42%) and asking colleagues (32.32%). The majority (53.18%) described consulting a clinical pharmacist as “very useful.” However, 16% of the nurse group and 35% of the physician group were not aware of the existence of the Drug Information Center (DIC) and more than 8% of the participants consider calling the DIC about drug-related information “not useful”.Conclusion: Digital resources are used by HCPs more frequently than traditional resources, consulting a clinical pharmacist or calling the DIC. Providing reliable electronic resources and raising the awareness of HCPs regarding the role of a clinical pharmacist and DIC for patient-specific therapies should be instituted.

Perceptions and Attitudes of Hospital’ Prescribers towards Drug Information Sources and Prescribing Practices

“…It has been reported that healthcare providers use the internet most frequently to gather health, medical or prescription drug information (De Leo et al, 2006;Podichetty et al, 2006;Hartzband, Groopman, 2010;Younger, 2010). It has been reported that digital resources of drug information were used more frequently by healthcare professionals than traditional resources such as printed material, consulting a clinical pharmacist or calling drug information center despite the untrustworthy and unreliable of internet and electronic open-access resources (Alakeel, Almutairi, Layqah, 2020). McGettigan et al (2001) reported that the sources of prescribing information of greatest practical importance are those based on the medium of personal contact, primarily by hospital prescribers' peers in hospital settings.…”

Exploring the Information Sources Consulted by Doctors at the Point of Care in Four Selected South African Referral Hospitals

“…Since the late 1990s there has been a lot of reliance on the internet sources among health sciences students and is projected to be a reliable source of information for patient care in future [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Whereas health professionals mostly relied on textbooks and colleagues before the year 2000 [ 21 ], most doctors and pharmacists have now been found to update their patient care knowledge via the internet including the use of search engines to find drug information [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Nurses' sources of information to inform clinical practice: An integrative review to guide evidence‐based practice

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