Pharmacy Students' Ability to Identify Potential Drug-Drug Interactions

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the ability of third-and fourth-year pharmacy students to identify clinically significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) Methods. A questionnaire designed to measure DDI knowledge was disseminated to fourth-year pharmacy students in a school of pharmacy. A second questionnaire was distributed to third-year pharmacy students in 2 schools of pharmacy (schools A and B) and re-administered to students in 1 of the schools 1 year later. Results. Class of 2005 fourth-year pharmacy students correctly categorized an average of 52% 6 13% DDI pairs on the first questionnaire. Third-year pharmacy students at schools A and B correctly categorized an average of 61% 6 18% and 66% 6 15% of DDI pairs, respectively. The average percentage of correct responses for fourth-year students from the class of 2007 was 65% (6 17%). Conclusion. Pharmacy students' ability to identify important DDIs is far from optimal, even after completing experiential requirements.

Healthcare Professional Students’ Knowledge of Drug-Drug Interactions

“…17,25,26 Saverno and colleagues found that DDI educational sessions improved pharmacy students' short-term knowledge. 25 Trujillo and colleagues offered a 2-semester drug interaction elective course to third-year pharmacy students; students completing the course showed improved DDI recognition scores and increased confidence in identifying interactions in comparison to their peers who opted out of the course. 17 Tskuruoka and colleagues evaluated 2 physician groups from the same undergraduate medical school who had been in clinical practice for 3 to 7 years.…”

“…However, DDI information aids do not replace the need for healthcare providers to have a basic understanding of important drug interactions. 25 This study tested and retested the same pharmacy, medical, and nursing students with the same test instrument pre-and posttraining, potentially introducing testing bias. The threat is especially relevant given that the posttest was administered immediately following the educational session.…”

The French Society of Clinical Pharmacy ACT-IP© project: Ten years onward, results and prospects

“…The students and the residents can be considered a result of the combination of their knowledge and skill to use documentary tools. Our foreign colleagues have already realized a myriad of works pertaining to this matter (to see, for example, reference [76] regarding the medicinal interactions). Girollet et al, by conducting a national study to know the realized ACT-IPß project: Ten years onward, results and prospects activities and the feelings of the students regarding the internships scheduled during the studies of pharmacy, recently highlighted the good reasons and the urgency to take action: the fact that 53% of the students in hospital training declared not having been acquainted with the prescription of drugs; 74% did not participate in the dispensation of drugs [77].…”

Mise à disposition de l’outil de codification des interventions pharmaceutiques de la Société française de pharmacie clinique : bilan à 10ans et perspectives

“…En effet, la diversité des IP réalisées par les étudiants et les internes peut être regardée comme résultant de la combinaison de leurs savoirs et de leur compétence à employer les outils documentaires. Nos confrères étrangers ont déjà réalisé une myriade de travaux à ce sujet (voir par exemple la référence [76] concernant les interactions médicamen-teuses). Girollet et al, en réalisant une étude nationale visant à connaître les activités réalisées et le ressenti des étudiants concernant les stages programmés au cours des études de pharmacie, ont récemment mis en évidence les bonnes raisons et l'urgence de passer à l'action : le fait que 53 % des étudiants en stage hospitalier ont déclaré ne pas s'être familiarisé avec la prescription des médicaments ; 74 % n'ont pas participé à la dispensation des médicaments [77].…”