The short and long-term impact of educational intervention on pharmacovigilance awareness in second year MBBS students: a questionnaire-based survey

Abstract

Background: Under-reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is a burning issue globally. Sensitizing medical students to the concepts of pharmacovigilance in their early years through regular training holds the key for successfully perpetuating ADR reporting culture. This study attempted to assess the short and long-term impact of interventional training programs on the knowledge and perception of Pharmacovigilance amongst II MBBS students.Methods: It was a Cross-sectional, interventional, questionnaire‑based study. Second MBBS, new entrants (n=127) were tested for their awareness regarding pharmacovigilance knowledge using pre-validated questionnaires at entry point and following regular training sessions, at 1 week (short-term) and at 1 year (long-term). Students’ perceptions towards ADR monitoring were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Independent t-test/Mann-Whitney-U test for identifying mean difference and paired-t-test/Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data was used for quantitative and qualitative data analysis accordingly.Results: Significant improvement in scores following training was seen at both short (10.8±1.914) and long term (11.63±1.516) compared to base-line scores (6.07±2.036). There was significant increase in long-term scores compared to short-term scores (<0.001). Female students performed better than their male counterparts. Majority of students positively perceived the need for ADR monitoring and reporting.Conclusions: Pharmacovigilance training increases students’ knowledge significantly. Strengthening the existing pharmacovigilance activities through regular refresher training programs and adequate sequencing in curriculum not only maintains but improves students’ knowledge significantly.