Studies on the concept, knowledge and attitude of the rational use of medicines among the sixth semester 2nd MBBS student of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat, Imphal, Manipur, India

Abstract

Studies on the concept, knowledge and attitude of the rational use of medicines among the sixth semester 2nd MBBS student of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat, Imphal, Manipur, India Varkung Valte, Premchand M. Singh*, Indira Raleng INTRODUCTIONAccording to World Health Organisation (WHO) definition, rational pharmacotherapy requires that patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community. 1Rational prescribing is a stepwise process of scientifically analysing the therapeutic set up based on relevant inputs about the patient as well as the drug and then taking appropriate decisions. It does not end with handing over the prescription to the patient, but extends to subsequent monitoring, periodic evaluations and modifications as and when needed, till the therapeutic goals are achieved. Rational prescribing in not just the choice of a corrects drug for a disease, or mere matching of drugs with diseases, but also the appropriateness of the whole therapeutic set up along with follow up of the outcome.2 Drug prescription is difficult and requires a thorough knowledge of the disease and the pharmacological properties of the drugs. It has been widely accepted that general practitioners prescribing habits are not easily altered once established. Thus, good prescription training and also practical applications should be given during undergraduate education to prevent bad prescribing ABSTRACT Background: The present study was designed to accesses the concept, knowledge and attitude of rational use of medicine among the sixth semester 2nd MBBS students with the aim to install rational use of medicine amongst the prescriber right from the grass root level. Methods:The study has been conducted in Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Porompat, Imphal, Manipur during 2015-2016 session. The studies has been organised in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) Good Prescribing Guide. The students were subjected to presented questionnaire on concept, knowledge and attitude on the rational use of medicine. The design of the study is simple cross sectional study. Percentage, proportions and means are used for descriptive statistics while the associations are calculated using corresponding tests for the associations. Results: The majority of the students have a clear cut concept in the present studies (96.7%); integration with other subject (80.3%); usefulness in the future practice (98.3%); initiative and willingness (91.0%); learning the topic in the MBBS course (95.0%); out of the total questionnaire of 61, only 7 questions on concept, knowledge and attitude have been selected for further analysis. 3.2% do not have the knowledge of RUMs; 13.1% do not feel necessary to integrate with other subjects; 8.1% are indecisive, 4.91% do not feel necessary to learn RUMs; 16.3% do not have any idea about the role of evaluation. Conclusions:The present study will ...