Essential competencies in prescribing: A first european cross-sectional study among 895 final-year medical students

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Antimicrobial Usage Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Universities and Institutes, Thamar, Yemen

Background

As future healthcare providers, medical students play a crucial role in the community. They are expected to prescribe antibiotics responsibly and educate patients about their proper use, which is essential in combating antibiotic resistance.

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate how undergraduate medical students in Thamar Governorate understand, perceive, and use antibiotics. This includes their knowledge of antibiotic resistance and their practices related to antibiotic use.

Methodology

Sample of 1000 medical students participated in a cross-sectional descriptive study. Which involved the use of a semi-structured survey questionnaire? Which featured both open-ended and closed-ended (multiple-choice) questions. The research team's modified questionnaire was completed by medical students themselves.

Results

Out of the total of 1000 participants, 600 provided information on their antibiotic usage. Females constituted 51.7% and 60.3% had completed undergraduate education. A 52.2% of participants showed a good understanding of antibiotic usage and 63% used antibiotics as antibacterial, while smaller percentages used them as antivirals (18%), antifungals (13%), or antiparasitic (6%). However, 65.8% identified the indiscriminate administration of antibiotics as the primary catalyst for bacterial resistance and 61.7% reported using the full dose of antibiotics as prescribed, and only 65% dispensed antibiotics with a prescription. However, 70.7% admitted to taking antibiotics based on a pharmacist's recommendation without a prescription.

Conclusion

This study showed that medical students have an overall positive attitude and very good awareness, knowledge, and practice regarding antibiotic usage, resistance, and dispensing. However, high percentage of the participants admitted obtaining the antibiotic without a prescription.

Evaluating student understanding of core pharmacokinetic concepts

Both educators and graduates have expressed concern about a perceived pharmacology knowledge gap that includes difficulty applying fundamental principles to clinical and research problems. Consequently, we sought to determine the extent to which current students can explain the meaning of, and appropriately apply, a subset of core concepts, and to identify any misconceptions arising from the responses. Of the twenty-four pharmacology core concepts arising from the recent international collaboration, four pharmacokinetic concepts were chosen, namely drug bioavailability, drug clearance, volume of distribution, and steady-state concentration. A total of 318 students from 11 universities across seven countries chose to participate in this study. Expert analysts identified the essential elements for each concept, then independently assessed each student's response. Teams of two experts compared their evaluations to reach a consensus and grouped misconceptions thematically. For each core concept, less than 30% of students provided responses that encompassed all essential elements. Participants found drug clearance most challenging, generally conflating it with the rate of elimination, whereas they demonstrated a better understanding of drug bioavailability. There were 34 misconception themes coded in a total of 813 statements, with volume of distribution and drug clearance producing the highest numbers (13 and 12, respectively). Overall, results suggest that students found it easier to apply the concept than to explain its meaning, which might reflect the shift from didactic to active learning approaches. These findings may be useful for educators who are developing introductory pharmacokinetic courses by providing conceptual focus and revealing common misconceptions to explicitly address.

The impact of summative, formative or programmatic assessment on the Dutch National Pharmacotherapy assessment: A retrospective multicentre study

BACKGROUND

The Dutch National Pharmacotherapy Assessment (DNPA), which focuses on assessing medication safety and essential drug knowledge, was introduced to improve clinical pharmacology and therapeutics education in the Netherlands. This study investigated how the performance of final-year medical students on the DPNA was affected by the assessment programme (traditional with summative or formative assessment, and programmatic assessment).

METHODS

This multicentre retrospective longitudinal observation study (2019-2023) involved final-year medical students from four medical schools in the Netherlands. The DNPA was used in different ways - either as a summative or formative assessment in a traditional assessment programme or as a non-high-stakes assessment in a programmatic assessment programme. Three medical schools changed from assessment programme over time.

RESULTS

This study involved 1894 students. Summative assessment resulted in significantly higher scores and pass rates than formative assessment in a traditional assessment programme (mean score of 84.3% vs. 67.5%, and pass rate of 60.4% vs. 5.9%). In contrast, slightly lower scores were obtained when the assessment was non-high-stakes as part of a programmatic assessment programme rather than a summative assessment in a traditional assessment programme (mean score of 81.% vs. 84.3%, pass rate of 51.8% vs. 60.4%). In curricula where the assessment became summative instead of formative, scores and pass rates significantly improved (mean increase of +14.4% and 42.3%, respectively), when the assessment programme changed from traditional with summative assessment to programmatic with non-high-stakes assessment, scores and pass rates modestly decreased (decrease of 3.3% and 14.2%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Integrating the DNPA within a traditional assessment programme is most effective when assessed summatively, as it results in significantly higher scores compared to formative assessment. In the context of a programmatic assessment programme, the scores may be slightly lower. Changing assessment programmes within a medical school influences DNPA scores. Scores increase when the assessment is summative rather than formative within a traditional assessment programme. Conversely, scores mildly decrease when the assessment programme shifts from traditional with summative assessment to non-high-stakes programmatic assessment.

Analysis of self-reported confidence in independent prescribing among osteopathic medical graduating seniors

CONTEXT

Prescribing medications is one of the physicians' most important professional activities throughout their careers. Lack of confidence and competency to prescribe may lead to preventable medical errors. The prevalence of prescription errors among new graduate physicians has been widely studied. Studies have linked this to inadequate foundational pharmacology education and work environment, among other factors. Suggestions were made for different educational interventions to increase the physicians' confidence and competency in prescribing to reduce the risk of medical errors. However, many of these studies were about students or graduates of medical schools other than osteopathic medical schools.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the self-reported confidence of graduating seniors in the United States osteopathic medical schools in their current ability to prescribe safely and independently and the possible associated factors.

METHODS

This study analyzed secondary data on the graduating seniors' surveys published by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) from the 2012/2013 to 2020/2021 academic years. Data were analyzed utilizing SPSS version 26.0 and MedCalc version 22.009, and statistical inferences were considered significant whenever p≤0.05.

RESULTS

The aggregated data show that 38,712 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) seniors responded to the AACOM survey, representing 72.1 % of expected graduates during the study period. Most of the DO graduating seniors (70.8 %) reported feeling confident in their current abilities to independently write safe and indicated orders and to prescribe therapies or interventions in various settings. The percentage of respondents who perceived the time devoted to clinical pharmacology instruction as appropriate increased systematically over these reported years. A positive correlation was found between the percentage of students who reported the time dedicated to clinical pharmacology as excessive and the percentage of students who reported being confident in prescribing. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the percentage of students who agreed that the first two years of medical school were well organized and the percentage of students who reported being confident in prescribing. A statistically significant correlation was found between the percentage of students who agreed with statements about frequent interactions with the attendee, testing at the end of each rotation, and being prepared for Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (COMLEX Level 2-CE) during the required clerkships and the percentage of students who reported being confident in independent prescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

During this study period, most osteopathic medical graduating seniors (70.8 %) felt confident about their current prescribing abilities; the rest did not, which can increase the risk of preventable medical errors. The prescription confidence may be boosted by more organization for the first 2 years, increasing the time devoted to clinical pharmacology education, and developing more interactive courses during the required clerkships in clinical education.

Confidence in Prescribing Practices: Perspectives of Senior Medical Students and Recent Graduates at Qatar University

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the perceptions of senior medical students and recent graduates from College of Medicine (CMED) at Qatar University regarding their undergraduate education and training related to prescribing, their confidence in achieving the learning outcomes specified in the curriculum and their preparedness to prescribe in practice.

Patients and Methods

This was a cross-sectional web-based survey with qualitative elements, utilizing a 22-item pre-validated questionnaire developed through a multi-phase iterative process. The survey was administered to all senior medical students (year 4-6) and recent graduates of CMED at Qatar University.

Results

One hundred sixty-seven medical students and graduates responded to the survey (response rate ~45%). Overall, the participants expressed positive attitude towards curricular content related to prescribing that aimed to prepare them for practice, including pharmacology and therapeutics, history-taking, physical examination, diagnostic investigations, application of evidence-based medicine, and other skills. Over 60% of the participants believed that the prescribing components of the undergraduate curriculum made them competent in providing safe and effective prescriptions in practice. Notably, there was an association between seniority and perceived curricular effectiveness, highlighting the impact of clinical experience on participants' views. Recommendations for curriculum enhancement focused on practical integration, contextualized education, and a holistic approach to both theoretical and clinical learning.

Conclusion

The study revealed positive opinions regarding curricular content related to prescribing and identified areas for improvement in medical curriculum. Continuous monitoring, evaluation and refinement based on participants' feedback are crucial for ensuring the preparedness of medical graduates for safe and effective prescribing in real-world clinical practice.

Beyond lectures and practical courses: Teaching pharmacology using imaginative pedagogical tools

Pharmacology has broadened its scope considerably in recent decades. Initially, it was of interest to chemists, doctors and pharmacists. In recent years, however, it has been incorporated into the teaching of biologists, molecular biologists, biotechnologists, chemical engineers and many health professionals, among others. Traditional teaching methods, such as lectures or laboratory work, have been superseded by the use of new pedagogical approaches to enable a better conceptualization and understanding of the discipline. In this article, we present several new methods that have been used in Spanish universities. Firstly, we describe a teaching network that has allowed the sharing of pedagogical innovations in Spanish universities. A European experience to improve prescribing safety is described in detail. The use of popular films and medical TV series in biomedical students shows how these audiovisual resources can be helpful in teaching pharmacology. The use of virtual worlds is detailed to introduce this new approach to teaching. The increasingly important area of the social aspects of pharmacology is also considered in two sections, one devoted to social pharmacology and the other to the use of learning based on social services to improve understanding of this important area. Finally, the use of Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation in pharmacology allows to know how this approach can help to better evaluate clinical pharmacology students. In conclusion, this article allows to know new pedagogical methods resources used in some Spanish universities that may help to improve the teaching of pharmacology.

2015 versus 2021: Self-Reported Preparedness to Prescribe Antibiotics Prudently among Final Year Medical Students in Sweden

Cross-sectional surveys have found variations in how prepared medical students feel to prescribe antibiotics responsibly, but insights are lacking on the stability of these outcomes. In a 2015 survey, final-year Swedish medical students reported very high preparedness levels across a comprehensive range of relevant curriculum topics. We repeated this survey in 2021 to assess the stability of previous findings and to capture the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Final-year students in 2015 and 2021 at all seven Swedish medical schools were eligible to participate in an online survey covering curricula topics, teaching methods and COVID-19 impacts (2021). Eligible students received email invitations and reminders from local coordinators. Students from six of seven medical schools participated in both surveys, with response rates of 24.1% (309/1281) in 2021 and 21.3% (239/1124) in 2015. The average global preparedness was 77.0% and 83.2%, respectively (p < 0.001), with lower preparedness levels in 24/27 curriculum topics in 2021. Students at certain universities reported COVID-19 impacts on antibiotic prescribing education (format, duration and perceived quality). Self-reported preparedness levels have fallen slightly but remain high compared with 2015 levels in other European countries. Students consistently reported lower preparedness in specific topics; improvement efforts should consider focusing on these areas, particularly in the context of the ongoing implementation of programmes leading to a full licence upon graduation.

Differences in prescribing errors between electronic prescribing and traditional prescribing among medical students: A randomized pilot study

AIMS

This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to assess the differences in the frequency, type and severity of prescribing errors made by medical students when assessed in an electronic (e-)prescribing system compared to a traditional prescribing method (e.g., typing out a prescription).

METHODS

Fourth year medical students in the period of 1 November to 31 July 2023, were asked to participate in this single-centre prospective, randomized, controlled intervention study. Participants performed a prescribing assessment in either an e-prescribing system (intervention group) or in a more traditional prescribing platform (control group). The prescriptions were checked for errors, graded and categorized. Differences in prescribing errors, error categories and severity were analysed.

RESULTS

Out of 334 students, 84 participated in the study. Nearly all participants (98.8%) made 1 or more prescribing errors, primarily involving inadequate information errors. In the intervention group, more participants made prescribing errors involving the prescribed amount (71.4 vs. 19.0%; P < .01), but fewer involving administrative errors (2.4 vs. 19.0%; P = .03). Prescribing-method-specific errors were identified in 4.8 and 40.5% of the intervention and control group, respectively, with significant differences in overlapping errors as well.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study shows the importance of training e-prescribing competencies in medical curricula, in addition to traditional prescribing methods. It identifies prescribing-method-specific prescribing errors and emphasizes the need for further research to define e-prescribing competencies. Additionally, the need for an accessible real-life-like e-prescribing environment tailored to educators and students is essential for effective learning and incorporation of e-prescribing into medical curricula.

Factors affecting pharmacology learning in integrated PBL in diverse medical students: a mixed methods study

INTRODUCTION

Problem-based learning (PBL) was introduced to address passive teaching limitations. However, it is not fully characterised as a teaching modality in pharmacology. The present study investigated the factors affecting pharmacology learning in an integrated PBL-based curriculum in diverse learners.

METHODS

Year 1 undergraduate medical students from two cohorts at St. George's University of London and University of Nicosia, participated. Statistical analysis of pharmacology knowledge scores, at the beginning (pre-test) and end of the academic year (post-test), investigated readiness to benefit from PBL based on diverse student characteristics (educational background, age, gender, country of origin, ethnicity, native language, PBL experience). Focus groups/interviews and a survey investigated aspects of integrated PBL impacting learning in depth.

RESULTS

Pre- and post-test scores were positively correlated. Students with biomedical sciences degrees performed better at the pharmacology pre- and post-tests, while post-graduate degree holders performed better only at the pre-test. Effect size was of moderate magnitude. However, progress in learning (post-test performance after controlling for pre-test scores) was unaffected. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: 1) PBL as a learning environment; 2) PBL as a learning environment in pharmacology; and 3) PBL as a learning environment and confidence in prescribing. Under theme one, skill development, knowledge acquisition through collaboration and self-directed learning, group dynamics and preferred teaching methods were discussed. Under theme two, contextual learning, depth of knowledge and material correctness were raised. Under theme 3, students expressed variability in prescribing confidence. They perceived that learning could be improved by better integration, further references earlier on, more lectures and PBL facilitators with greater content expertise. The survey findings were consistent with those from focus groups/interviews.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacology learning in a PBL-based curriculum is facilitated by constructive, collaborative and contextual learning. While baseline pharmacology knowledge may be advantageous, the other aforementioned characteristics studied may not affect readiness to benefit from PBL. However, further instructional scaffolding is needed, for example through further resources, lectures and self-assessment. The results from our study can inform evidence-based curriculum reform to support student learning further. Addressing learning needs could ultimately contribute to reducing medication errors through effective training of future prescribers.

The European List of Key Medicines for Medical Education: A Modified Delphi Study

Rational prescribing is essential for the quality of health care. However, many final-year medical students and junior doctors lack prescribing competence to perform this task. The availability of a list of medicines that a junior doctor working in Europe should be able to independently prescribe safely and effectively without supervision could support and harmonize teaching and training in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) in Europe. Therefore, our aim was to achieve consensus on such a list of medicines that are widely accessible in Europe. For this, we used a modified Delphi study method consisting of three parts. In part one, we created an initial list based on a literature search. In part two, a group of 64 coordinators in CPT education, selected via the Network of Teachers in Pharmacotherapy of the European Association for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, evaluated the accessibility of each medicine in his or her country, and provided a diverse group of experts willing to participate in the Delphi part. In part three, 463 experts from 24 European countries were invited to participate in a 2-round Delphi study. In total, 187 experts (40%) from 24 countries completed both rounds and evaluated 416 medicines, 98 of which were included in the final list. The top three Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code groups were (1) cardiovascular system (n = 23), (2) anti-infective (n = 21), and (3) musculoskeletal system (n = 11). This European List of Key Medicines for Medical Education could be a starting point for country-specific lists and could be used for the training and assessment of CPT.

Assessment of prescription writing skills among dental house officers: A multi-center study

Objective

To assess the knowledge and skills of prescription writing among dental house officers from different hospitals.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September, 2022. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 180 house officers from four teaching dental hospitals (n=45 each). The participants were asked to write a prescription for an adult and a pediatric patient. The prescription was evaluated according to WHO criteria. Analysis was done using SPSS v.20. Data was presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results

Among the 180 participants, 42.9% were males and 57.1% were females. 33.9% participants reported prescription writing to be a difficult task. Only 36.7% participants reported to be trained in prescribing pediatric medications. None of the prescriptions completely fulfilled the WHO criteria. Doctor related information (name, address and contact no) was written by only 3.8% of the participants while 10% of the participants mentioned the patient related information (name, address and age). Dosage of the prescribed drugs was the most commonly drug-related missing parameter which was mentioned in 30% of the pediatric prescriptions and 21% of the adult prescriptions.

Conclusion

There is a general lack of knowledge among the dental house officers regarding prescription writing as they were found to be unaware of the essential elements of a prescription. The findings call for an urgent change in the undergraduate teaching of prescription writing skills with special emphasis on pediatric drugs and dosage.

Medication errors at a diabetes management center in a resource-poor setting

BACKGROUND

Medication errors are known to cause adverse drug reactions, hospital admissions and mortality. In most resource-poor settings, medication errors occur but are undocumented.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to investigate medication errors in a diabetic clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana.

METHODS

The research combined both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The quantitative aspect involved retrospectively reviewing patient folders over two years (1st January 2019 to 31st December 2021). Patients' folders were reviewed to identify possible medication errors. The qualitative arm explored underlying factors and experiences related to medication errors through interviews with healthcare workers. Ten healthcare professionals at KATH were interviewed using an interview guide.

RESULTS

A total of 264 patients' folders were retrieved. The majority (23.11%) of the patients were between 18 and 25 y.o., and there were more females (52.27%) than males. About 60% of the patients had diabetes and hypertension comorbidity. The overall prevalence of medication errors was 18.18%. The most prevalent type of medication error identified was wrong drug formulation (n = 19, 39.58%). About 47.92% of the medication errors resulted in adverse events and this was predominantly caused by antidiabetic drugs (47.83%) and anti-hypertensive drugs (34.78%). Patients in the age category of 26-35 y.o. [aOR: 0.31, CI: 0.11-0.90] had reduced odds of medication errors whilst patients with comorbidity of diabetes and hypertension [aOR: 5.95, CI: 2.43-14.60] had an increased odds of medication errors. Large patient population, low staff numbers and inadequate knowledge of drugs by healthcare workers were factors that contributed to medication errors.

CONCLUSION

Medication errors was moderately high in this diabetic clinic, and the errors led to a number of adverse events. Age, diabetes and hypertension comorbidity, large patient population, low staff numbers, and inadequate knowledge about drugs were identified as factors that influenced medication errors.

Enhancing Patient Safety: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Medical Interns' Attitude and Knowledge About Medication Safety in Saudi Arabia

Introduction and aim Medication errors (MEs) pose a severe threat in the medical field. Since such errors are preventable, it is paramount for all healthcare workers to be educated on the matter. This study aimed to assess medical interns' attitudes and knowledge of medication safety and errors. We also aimed to validate current university programs to educate students about medication safety and errors. Methods A cross-sectional study that utilized a self-administered online questionnaire comprised 31 questions. The questionnaire was distributed via social media networks, such as WhatsApp, Twitter, email, Instagram, and Snapchat among 100 medical, pharmacy, and nursing interns in Saudi Arabia. The study population included both Saudi and non-Saudi interns. Results The majority of participants, comprising 92% (n=92), indicated that they were familiar with the definition of medication errors (ME). Additionally, 85% (n=85) expressed their willingness to report instances of MEs when medications were not prescribed but required. Moreover, 90% (n=90) of the surveyed individuals expressed their willingness to report MEs in situations where patients did not receive medications as prescribed. In cases where patients experienced harm and required treatment due to an ME, 91% (n=91) of respondents committed to reporting such incidents. A total of 52 (52%) respondents stated that they would report MEs regardless of whether they reached/harmed the patient. A good ME knowledge level was observed in 48% of respondents. A higher likelihood of good ME knowledge was significantly associated with safety reporting system (SRS) awareness and reporting MEs regardless of whether they reached/harmed the patient (p<0.05). College, awareness/attitude, or other demographic factors were not significantly related to ME knowledge (p>0.05). Conclusion This study showed that although interns in the healthcare field do have some knowledge about MEs, there is still a significant need to improve their knowledge. This can be achieved through various ways, one of which is by implementing this topic into the university curricula.

The impact of a summative national prescribing assessment and curriculum type on the development of the prescribing competence of junior doctors

PURPOSE

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of including the Dutch National Pharmacotherapy Assessment (DNPA) in the medical curriculum on the level and development of prescribing knowledge and skills of junior doctors. The secondary aim was to evaluate the relationship between the curriculum type and the prescribing competence of junior doctors.

METHODS

We re-analysed the data of a longitudinal study conducted in 2016 involving recently graduated junior doctors from 11 medical schools across the Netherlands and Belgium. Participants completed three assessments during the first year after graduation (around graduation (+ / - 4 weeks), and 6 months, and 1 year after graduation), each of which contained 35 multiple choice questions (MCQs) assessing knowledge and three clinical case scenarios assessing skills. Only one medical school used the DNPA in its medical curriculum; the other medical schools used conventional means to assess prescribing knowledge and skills. Five medical schools were classified as providing solely theoretical clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education; the others provided both theoretical and practical CPT education (mixed curriculum).

RESULTS

Of the 1584 invited junior doctors, 556 (35.1%) participated, 326 (58.6%) completed the MCQs and 325 (58.5%) the clinical case scenarios in all three assessments. Junior doctors whose medical curriculum included the DNPA had higher knowledge scores than other junior doctors (76.7% [SD 12.5] vs. 67.8% [SD 12.6], 81.8% [SD 11.1] vs. 76.1% [SD 11.1], 77.0% [12.1] vs. 70.6% [SD 14.0], p < 0.05 for all three assessments, respectively). There was no difference in skills scores at the moment of graduation (p = 0.110), but after 6 and 12 months junior doctors whose medical curriculum included the DNPA had higher skills scores (both p < 0.001). Junior doctors educated with a mixed curriculum had significantly higher scores for both knowledge and skills than did junior doctors educated with a theoretical curriculum (p < 0.05 in all assessments).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the inclusion of the knowledge focused DNPA in the medical curriculum improves the prescribing knowledge, but not the skills, of junior doctors at the moment of graduation. However, after 6 and 12 months, both the knowledge and skills were higher in the junior doctors whose medical curriculum included the DNPA. A curriculum that provides both theoretical and practical education seems to improve both prescribing knowledge and skills relative to a solely theoretical curriculum.

Do educational interventions improve prescribing skills of medical students compared to no additional learning? A systematic review

Research suggests that medical students are not confident and may be ill-prepared to prescribe competently. Therefore, changes to standard education may be required to fortify medical student prescribing skills, confidence, and competence. However, specific education to write a safe and legal prescription is generally lacking. Furthermore, the term prescribe and the skill thereof is not clearly defined. This review compares additional education for medical students to no identified additional education or another educational modality on the skill of prescription writing. Secondary aims include review of education modalities, prescribing skill assessments, educator professional background, and timing of education within the medical curriculum. This systematic review was conducted and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Databases searched included: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Emcare (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed and Scopus. Search terms included: medical education, medical undergraduate, medical student, medical school, and prescriptions. The search was conducted in February 2023, and quantitative outcomes were reported. Of the 5197 citations identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies reported significant improvements in prescribing skills of medical students after additional educational intervention(s). Various educational modalities were implemented, including case-based teaching (n=3), patient-based teaching (n=1), tutorial-based teaching (n=2), didactic teaching (n=1), and mixed methods (n=6). There were no commonalities in the professional background of the educator; however, five studies used faculty members. There was no consensus on the best assessment type and time to implement prescription writing education during medical training. There are a range of interventions to educate and assess prescribing competencies of medical students. Despite heterogenous study designs, there is evidence of the superiority of additional prescription writing education versus no identified additional education to develop prescription writing skills. The introduction of formal teaching and standardised assessment of prescribing skills for medical students is recommended.

Educating Medical Students on How to Prescribe Anti-Hyperglycaemic Drugs: A Practical Guide

In the light of the rapidly increasing global incidence of, and therapeutic arsenal for, diabetes type 2, this brief report underscores the need for advancements in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education with regard to diabetes type 2. We advocate for the comprehensive training of medical students and junior doctors in line with current guidelines, and emphasize the importance of teaching how to draw up individualized treatment plans based on patients’ specific risk factors and conditions, such as cardiovascular risks, weight, and risk of hypoglycaemia. Within the curriculum, traditional teaching approaches should be replaced by innovative methods such as problem-based learning, which has been shown to be more effective in developing prescribing knowledge and skills. The inclusion of real-world experience and interprofessional learning via so-called student-run clinics is also recommended. Subsequently, innovative assessment methods like the European Prescribing Exam and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) are highlighted as essential for evaluating knowledge and practical skills. By adopting these educational advances, medical education can better equip future practitioners to adequately manage the complex pharmacological treatment of diabetes.

Antimicrobial Prescribing Preparedness of Croatian Medical Students-Did It Change between 2015 and 2019?

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobials are some of the most prescribed drugs by junior doctors, but studies suggest most medical graduates feel unprepared for their future prescribing tasks. The aim of the present study was to compare the self-reported preparedness to prudently prescribe antimicrobials of final-year medical students in Croatia in 2015 and 2019.

METHODS

The same self-reported web-based survey on the preparedness to prescribe antibiotics was used in both 2015 and 2019. All final-year students at all four medical schools in Croatia (Osijek, Rijeka, Split, and Zagreb) were invited to participate in both 2015 and 2019. Preparedness scores were divided into "topic preparedness scores" and "global preparedness scores". Topic preparedness scores represented the percentage of students at a medical school who felt sufficiently prepared for each topic. They were first established at a medical school level and then at the national level. Global preparedness scores were determined for each student separately and then calculated at the medical school and national levels.

RESULTS

The country's global preparedness score, representing the average proportion of topics in which students felt sufficiently prepared, was slightly higher in 2015 compared with the 2019 results (62.7% vs. 56.5%; p = 0.191). Croatian students reported higher preparedness in 2015 than in 2019 for 25 out of 27 topics included in the survey. The majority of students reported a need for more education on antibiotic use both in 2015 and 2019 (78.0% vs. 83.0%; p = 0.199).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite increasing antimicrobial stewardship activities in various healthcare settings, medical students who are about to start prescribing antibiotics on their own do not feel sufficiently prepared to do so. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should be designed to incorporate undergraduate medical student education, for instance, as a specific, mandatory course or integrated into other courses, such as clinical pharmacology.

A comparison of the clinical pharmacotherapy knowledge of medical and surgical residents and consultants

PURPOSE

Knowledge of clinical pharmacotherapy is essential for all who prescribe medication. The aims of this study were to investigate differences in the pharmacotherapy and polypharmacy knowledge of medical and surgical residents and consultants and whether this knowledge can be improved by following an online course.

METHODS

Design: A before-and-after-measurement.

SETTING

An online course available for Dutch residents and consultants working in hospitals.

STUDY POPULATION

Dutch residents and consultants from different disciplines who voluntarily followed an online course on geriatric care.

INTERVENTION

An online 6-week course on geriatric care, with 1 week dedicated to clinical pharmacotherapy and polypharmacy. Variables, such as medical vs surgical specialty, consultant vs resident, age, and sex, that could predict the level of knowledge. The effects of the online course were studied using repeated measures ANOVA. The study was approved by the National Ethics Review Board of Medical Education (NERB dossier number 996).

RESULTS

A total of 394 residents and 270 consultants, 220 from surgical and 444 from medical specialties, completed the online course in 2016 and 2017. Residents had higher test scores than consultants for pharmacotherapy (73% vs 70%, p < 0.02) and polypharmacy (75% vs 72%, p < 0.02). The learning effect did not differ. Medical residents/consultants had a better knowledge of pharmacotherapy (74% vs 68%, p < 0.001) and polypharmacy (77% vs 66%, p < 0.001) than surgical residents/consultants, but the learning effect was the same.

CONCLUSIONS

Residents and consultants had a similar learning curve for acquiring knowledge, but residents outperformed consultants on all measures. In addition, surgical and medical residents/consultants had similar learning curves, but medical residents/consultants had higher test scores on all measures.

Teaching rational prescribing in undergraduate medical education: a systematic search and review

AIM

This study aimed to reveal the current status of the literature on rational prescribing training in undergraduate medical education.

METHODS

This study followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. An online search using 50 keywords in four databases was performed to access the studies published between 2008 and 2020. Specific features of the training such as aims or objectives of teaching, methods or model, and evaluation of effectiveness were extracted. Kirkpatrick levels were used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching.

RESULTS

Of 74 studies included in the full review, 16 (21.6%) of them reported the use of WHO 6-Step Model for Rational Prescribing in their educational interventions. In terms of effectiveness, only two of the studies investigated changes in learner behavior in the context for which they are being trained, and only one study showed the effect of training on patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The evidence on the effectiveness of rational prescribing training has been presented mostly by using student satisfaction surveys and test of knowledge and skills. A higher level of evidence such as patient outcomes of the training needs to be reported.

How would final-year medical students perform if their skill-based prescription assessment was real life?

AIMS

Prescribing errors occur frequently, especially among junior doctors. Our aim was to investigate prescribing errors made by final-year medical students. Information on these errors can help to improve education on and assessment of clinical pharmacotherapy (CPT).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study amongst final-year medical students at Erasmus Medical Centre, The Netherlands. Errors made in the final prescribing assessment were analysed. Errors were categorized by type, possible consequence and possibility of reaching the patient in real life.

RESULTS

A total of 381 students wrote 1502 analysable prescriptions. Forty per cent of these contained at least one error, and 54% of errors were of the inadequate information type. The rating of prescriptions for children was lower than for other question categories (P = <.001). Fifty per cent of errors were classified as "would have reached the patient but would not have had the potential to cause harm". In total, 253 (29%) errors would not have been intercepted by an electronic prescribing system or a pharmacist. Ten (4%) of these would probably have caused harm in the patient.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high rate of errors in prescriptions written by final-year medical students. Most errors were of the inadequate information type, indicating that students had difficulties determining the content and amount of information needed to make treatment successful. Prescriptions for children contained most errors. Curricula could be improved by offering more case-based CPT education, focusing on the practical issues of prescribing, especially for paediatric cases, and offering more practice time for prescribing during clerkships.

Do we become better prescribers after graduation: A 1-year international follow-up study among junior doctors

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate how the prescribing knowledge and skills of junior doctors in the Netherlands and Belgium develop in the year after graduation. We also analysed differences in knowledge and skills between surgical and nonsurgical junior doctors.

METHODS

This international, multicentre (n = 11), longitudinal study analysed the learning curves of junior doctors working in various specialties via three validated assessments at about the time of graduation, and 6 months and 1 year after graduation. Each assessment contained 35 multiple choice questions (MCQs) on medication safety (passing grade ≥85%) and three clinical scenarios.

RESULTS

In total, 556 junior doctors participated, 326 (58.6%) of whom completed the MCQs and 325 (58.5%) the clinical case scenarios of all three assessments. Mean prescribing knowledge was stable in the year after graduation, with 69% (SD 13) correctly answering questions at assessment 1 and 71% (SD 14) at assessment 3, whereas prescribing skills decreased: 63% of treatment plans were considered adequate at assessment 1 but only 40% at assessment 3 (P < .001). While nonsurgical doctors had similar learning curves for knowledge and skills as surgical doctors (P = .53 and P = .56 respectively), their overall level was higher at all three assessments (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION

These results show that junior doctors' prescribing knowledge and skills did not improve while they were working in clinical practice. Moreover, their level was under the predefined passing grade. As this might adversely affect patient safety, educational interventions should be introduced to improve the prescribing competence of junior doctors.

Teaching resources for the European Open Platform for Prescribing Education (EurOP2E)-a nominal group technique study

The European Open Platform for Prescribing Education (EurOP2E) seeks to improve and harmonize European clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education by facilitating international collaboration and sharing problem-based, online, open educational resources. The COVID-19 pandemic forced teachers to switch to virtual modalities, highlighting the need for high-quality online teaching materials. The goal of this study was to establish the online problem-based teaching resources needed to sustain prescribing education during the pandemic and thereafter. A nominal group technique study was conducted with prescribing teachers from 15 European countries. Results were analyzed through thematic analysis. In four meetings, 20 teachers from 15 countries proposed and ranked 35 teaching materials. According to the participants, the most necessary problem-based-online teaching materials related to three overarching themes. Related to learning outcomes for CPT, participants proposed creating prescription scenarios, including materials focusing on background knowledge and resources on personalized medicine and topical/ethical issues such as the prescription's impact on planetary health. Second, related to teaching, they proposed online case discussions, gamification and decision support systems. Finally, in relation to faculty development, they recommend teacher courses, a repository of reusable exam questions and harmonized formularies. Future work will aim to collaboratively produce such materials.

Medication errors in type 2 diabetes from patients’ perspective

Introduction

Drug errors pose a major health hazard to a number of patient populations. However, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus seem especially vulnerable to this risk as diabetes mellitus is usually concomitant with various comorbidities and polypharmacy, which present significant risk factors for the occurrence of drug errors. Despite this fact, there is little data on drug errors from patients’ perspective. The present survey aimed to examine the viewpoints of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus regarding their experiences with medication errors, the overall treatment satisfaction, and their perceptions on how a medication error was handled in daily hospital routine.

Materials and methods

Inpatients at the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology of the University Hospital of Graz were included in the survey. Out of 100 patients, one-half had insulin therapy before hospitalization while the other half had no insulin therapy prior to admission. After giving informed consent, patients filled out a questionnaire with 22 items.

Results

Independent of their preexisting therapy, 25% of patients already suffered at least one drug error, whereby prescribing a wrong dose seemed to be the most common type of error. Furthermore, 26% of patients in the non-insulin versus 50% in the insulin group (p = 0.084) were convinced that drug errors were addressed honestly by the medical staff, while 54% in the non-insulin versus 80% in the insulin-group (p = 0.061) assumed that adequate measures were taken to prevent drug errors. Finally, 9 out of 10 patients seemed satisfied with their treatment regardless of their diabetes therapy.

Discussion/conclusion

The results of the survey clearly showed that patients experienced at least one medication error during hospitalization. However, these errors only rarely led to patient harm. The survey also revealed the value of an honest and respectful doctor-patient relationship regarding patient perception of medication errors and general complaints. Increasing patient awareness on the existing in-hospital error management systems could eliminate treatment-related concerns and create a climate of trust that is essential for effective treatment.

An Interprofessional Student-Run Medication Review Program: The Clinical STOPP/START-Based Outcomes of a Controlled Clinical Trial in a Geriatric Outpatient Clinic

As the population ages, more people will have comorbid disorders and polypharmacy. Medication should be reviewed regularly in order to avoid adverse drug reactions and medication-related hospital visits, but this is often not done. As part of our student-run clinic project, we investigated whether an interprofessional student-run medication review program (ISP) added to standard care at a geriatric outpatient clinic leads to better prescribing. In this controlled clinical trial, patients visiting a memory outpatient clinic were allocated to standard care (control group) or standard care plus the ISP team (intervention group). The medications of all patients were reviewed by a review panel ("gold standard"), resident, and in the intervention arm also by an ISP team consisting of a group of students from the medicine and pharmacy faculties and students from the higher education school of nursing for advanced nursing practice. For both groups, the number of STOPP/START-based medication changes mentioned in general practitioner (GP) correspondence and the implementation of these changes about 6 weeks after the outpatient visit were investigated. The data of 216 patients were analyzed (control group = 100, intervention group = 116). More recommendations for STOPP/START-based medication changes were made in the GP correspondence in the intervention group than in the control group (43% vs. 24%, P = < 0.001). After 6 weeks, a significantly higher proportion of these changes were implemented in the intervention group (19% vs. 9%, P = 0.001). The ISP team, in addition to standard care, is an effective intervention for optimizing pharmacotherapy and medication safety in a geriatric outpatient clinic.

Pharmacist-Led Education for Final Year Medical Students: A Pilot Study

Background: Prescribing is a core skillset for medical officers. Prescribing errors or deficiencies can lead to patient harm and increased healthcare costs. There is an undefined role for pharmacist-led education to final year medical students to improve prescribing skills.

Aim: Assess if pharmacist-led education on prescription writing improves the quality and safety of final year medical students' prescribing skills.

Method: 

Participants and Intervention: Final year medical students were randomised into tutorial (TG) or non-tutorial groups (NTG) and assessed pre- and post- intervention. TG received education by a clinical pharmacist and pharmacy educator using case-based learning. NTG received no additional training as per usual practice. Following the pre-test, all students completed a 3-week tertiary hospital medical ward placement. Students completed the post-test following placement and after the TG participated in the intervention.

Student Assessment: Assessment included writing Schedule 4 (S4, prescription only), Schedule 8 (S8, controlled drug), S4 streamline (S4SL), and Mixed case (S4 and S8) prescriptions.

Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between TG and NTG for overall scores or proportion of passes. Post intervention scores significantly improved in TG (p = 0.012) whereas scores significantly decreased in the NTG (p = 0.004). The overall proportion of passes was significantly higher in the TG than NTG (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Education by a clinical pharmacist improved short-term prescribing skills of final year medical students in this study. Students learning primarily experientially from peers and rotational supervisors showed decreased prescribing skills. We propose pharmacist-led education on prescription writing should be further evaluated in larger studies across more student cohorts and for longer periods of follow up time to clarify whether such an educational model could be included in future medical school curricula.

A simulation-based module in pharmacology education reveals and addresses medical students' deficits in leading prescription talks

Although doctor-patient communication is essential for drug prescription, the literature reveals deficits in this area. An educational approach at the Cologne medical faculty aims at identifying and addressing those deficits in medical students.Fifth-year medical students first conducted a simulated prescription talk spontaneously. Subsequently, the conversation was discussed with peer students. A pharmacist moderated the discussion based upon a previously developed conversation guide. Afterwards, the same student had the conversation again, but as if for the first time. Conversations were video-recorded, transcribed and subjected to quantitative content analysis. Four days after the simulation, the students who conducted the talk, those who observed and discussed it, and students who did neither, completed a written test that focused on the content of an effective prescription talk.Content analysis revealed clear deficits in spontaneously led prescription talks. Even essential information as on adverse drug reactions were often lacking. Prescription talks became clearly more informative and comprehensive after the short, guided peer discussion. With regard to a comprehensive, informative prescription talk, the written test showed that both the students who conducted the talk and those who only observed it performed clearly better than the students who did not participate in the educational approach.Deficits regarding prescription talks are present in 5^th year medical students. We provide an approach to both identify and address these deficits. It thus may be an example for training medical students in simulated and clinical environments like the EACPT recommended to improve pharmacology education.

Better performance of medical students on pharmacotherapy knowledge and skills tests is associated with practising with e-learning program P-scribe

Aims

Junior doctors write most hospital prescriptions, yet are more than twice as likely to make an error in their prescriptions compared to senior doctors. A possibility to enhance pharmacotherapy education is through the use of e‐learning modules. The aim of this study was to determine whether P‐scribe, as the chosen e‐learning resource, helps students in passing their pharmacotherapy assessments.

Methods

This retrospective study was undertaken in the Erasmus Medical Center, the Netherlands. All 270 medical students who started their master's curriculum in the academic session of 2017–2018 were included. Data were analysed to identify the frequency of student's use per e‐learning module, total time students spent on e‐learning modules and timing of the use of e‐learning modules in relation to their assessments. The results of the assessments were analysed to identify possible correlations between the time students spent using P‐scribe, their timing of use and their assessment results.

Results

Students who passed their knowledge‐based assessment first time had a mean practice time of five more hours than students who did not pass first time (P < .05, 95% CI: 3.4–6.6). These students practised on average six e‐learning modules more (P < .05, 95% CI: 4.1–7.0) than students who failed their first attempt. Students who passed their skill‐based prescription test first time, practised on average five more e‐learning modules (P = .006, 95% CI: 1.4–8.3) than students who failed their first attempt.

Conclusion

Students who passed their pharmacotherapy assessments first time spent more time, and practised more frequently, with e‐learning modules.

EurOP2E - the European Open Platform for Prescribing Education, a consensus study among clinical pharmacology and therapeutics teachers

PURPOSE

Sharing and developing digital educational resources and open educational resources has been proposed as a way to harmonize and improve clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education in European medical schools. Previous research, however, has shown that there are barriers to the adoption and implementation of open educational resources. The aim of this study was to determine perceived opportunities and barriers to the use and creation of open educational resources among European CPT teachers and possible solutions for these barriers.

METHODS

CPT teachers of British and EU medical schools completed an online survey. Opportunities and challenges were identified by thematic analyses and subsequently discussed in an international consensus meeting.

RESULTS

Data from 99 CPT teachers from 95 medical schools were analysed. Thirty teachers (30.3%) shared or collaboratively produced digital educational resources. All teachers foresaw opportunities in the more active use of open educational resources, including improving the quality of their teaching. The challenges reported were language barriers, local differences, lack of time, technological issues, difficulties with quality management, and copyright restrictions. Practical solutions for these challenges were discussed and include a peer review system, clear indexing, and use of copyright licenses that permit adaptation of resources.

CONCLUSION

Key challenges to making greater use of CPT open educational resources are a limited applicability of such resources due to language and local differences and quality concerns. These challenges may be resolved by relatively simple measures, such as allowing adaptation and translation of resources and a peer review system.

Evaluation of Eight-Item Vancomycin Prescribing Confidence Questionnaire Among Junior Doctors

Background: Assessing the preparedness of junior doctors to use vancomycin is important in medical education. Preparedness is typically evaluated by self-reported confidence surveys.

Materials and Methods: An eight-item vancomycin prescribing confidence questionnaire was developed, piloted, and evaluated. The questionnaire responses were collected from 195 junior doctors and a series of statistical techniques, such as principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and were implemented to examine the validity and reliability.

Results: The principal component analysis supported a one-factor structure, which was fed into a confirmatory factor analysis model resulting in a good fit [comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.99, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.99, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.08, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.04]. Ordinal-based α was 0.95, and various ωs were all above 0.93, indicating a high reliability level. The questionnaire responses were further proved to be robust to extreme response patterns via item response tree modeling. Jonckheere–Terpstra test results (z = 6.5237, p = 3.429e−11) showed that vancomycin prescribing confidence differed based on the experience in order (i.e., four ordinal independent groups: “≤10 times,” “11–20 times,” “21–30 times,” and “≥31 times”) and therefore provided external validity evidences for the questionnaire.

Conclusions: The questionnaire is valid and reliable such that teaching hospitals can consider using it to assess junior doctors' vancomycin prescribing confidence. Further investigation of the questionnaire can point to the relationship between the prescribing confidence and the actual performance.

European List of Essential Medicines for Medical Education: a protocol for a modified Delphi study

INTRODUCTION

Junior doctors are responsible for a substantial number of prescribing errors, and final-year medical students lack sufficient prescribing knowledge and skills just before they graduate. Various national and international projects have been initiated to reform the teaching of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CP&T) during undergraduate medical training. However, there is as yet no list of commonly prescribed and available medicines that European doctors should be able to independently prescribe safely and effectively without direct supervision. Such a list could form the basis for a European Prescribing Exam and would harmonise European CP&T education. Therefore, the aim of this study is to reach consensus on a list of widely prescribed medicines, available in most European countries, that European junior doctors should be able to independently prescribe safely and effectively without direct supervision: the European List of Essential Medicines for Medical Education.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This modified Delphi study will recruit European CP&T teachers (expert group). Two Delphi rounds will be carried out to enable a list to be drawn up of medicines that are available in ≥80% of European countries, which are considered standard prescribing practice, and which junior doctors should be able to prescribe safely and effectively without supervision.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of VU University Medical Center (no. 2020.335) and by the Ethical Review Board of the Netherlands Association for Medical Education (approved project no. NVMO-ERB 2020.4.8). The European List of Essential Medicines for Medical Education will be presented at national and international conferences and will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals. It will also be used to develop and implement the European Prescribing Exam.

A pharmacotherapy self-assessment improves prescribing by prompting junior doctors to study further

AIMS

Junior doctors frequently prescribe incorrectly and this can cause serious harm to patients. Pharmacotherapy education in most medical schools falls short in preparing their students to prescribe safely in clinical practice. According to the theory of assessment-driven learning, a pharmacotherapy self-assessment for junior doctors may reduce potential harmful prescriptions in clinical practice, by revealing deficits in prescribing knowledge and skills.

METHODS

In this single centre, prospective cohort study, the potential harmful prescriptions of junior doctors in clinical practice were compared before and after a pharmacotherapy self-assessment with and without additional pharmacotherapy education.

RESULTS

Potential harmful prescriptions best known to cause harm to patients were studied in all the prescriptions written out by 199 junior doctors in the first 2 months of their employment in our hospital. The pharmacotherapy self-assessment reduced the total number of potential harmful prescriptions made by junior doctors relative to those made by junior doctors in the control group (1.3 vs. 3.2%, respectively; P < .001). Additional education did not reduce potential harmful prescriptions beyond the effect of the self-assessment alone (1.3 vs. 1.0%, P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacotherapy self-assessment leads to fewer potential harmful prescriptions made by junior doctors in clinical practice, thereby improving patient safety. More research is needed to investigate whether additional pharmacotherapy education strategies reduce potential harmful prescriptions further.

Harmonizing and improving European education in prescribing: An overview of digital educational resources used in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics

AIM

Improvement and harmonization of European clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education is urgently required. Because digital educational resources can be easily shared, adapted to local situations and re-used widely across a variety of educational systems, they may be ideally suited for this purpose.

METHODS

With a cross-sectional survey among principal CPT teachers in 279 out of 304 European medical schools, an overview and classification of digital resources was compiled.

RESULTS

Teachers from 95 (34%) medical schools in 26 of 28 EU countries responded, 66 (70%) of whom used digital educational resources in their CPT curriculum. A total of 89 of such resources were described in detail, including e-learning (24%), simulators to teach pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics (10%), virtual patients (8%), and serious games (5%). Together, these resources covered 235 knowledge-based learning objectives, 88 skills, and 13 attitudes. Only one third (27) of the resources were in-part or totally free and only two were licensed open educational resources (free to use, distribute and adapt). A narrative overview of the largest, free and most novel resources is given.

CONCLUSION

Digital educational resources, ranging from e-learning to virtual patients and games, are widely used for CPT education in EU medical schools. Learning objectives are based largely on knowledge rather than skills or attitudes. This may be improved by including more real-life clinical case scenarios. Moreover, the majority of resources are neither free nor open. Therefore, with a view to harmonizing international CPT education, more needs to be learned about why CPT teachers are not currently sharing their educational materials.

Switching from a traditional undergraduate programme in (clinical) pharmacology and therapeutics to a problem-based learning programme

PURPOSE

The pharmacology and clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education during the undergraduate medical curriculum of NOVA Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal, was changed from a traditional programme (i.e. discipline-based, lectures) to a problem-based learning (PBL) programme (i.e. integrated, case-based discussions) without an increase in teaching hours. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this change improved the prescribing competencies of final-year medical students.

METHODS

Final-year students from both programmes (2015 and 2019) were invited to complete a validated prescribing assessment and questionnaire. The assessment comprised 24 multiple-choice questions in three subdomains (working mechanism, side-effects and interactions/contraindications), and five clinical case scenarios of common diseases. The questionnaire focused on self-reported prescribing confidence, preparedness for future prescribing task and education received.

RESULTS

In total, 36 (22%) final-year medical students from the traditional programme and 54 (23%) from the PBL programme participated. Overall, students in the PBL programme had significantly higher knowledge scores than students in the traditional programme (76% (SD 9) vs 67% (SD 15); p = 0.002). Additionally, students in the PBL programme made significantly fewer inappropriate therapy choices (p = 0.023) and fewer erroneous prescriptions than did students in the traditional programme (p = 0.27). Students in the PBL programme felt more confident in prescribing, felt better prepared for prescribing as junior doctor and completed more drug prescriptions during their medical training.

CONCLUSION

Changing from a traditional programme to an integrated PBL programme in pharmacology and CPT during the undergraduate medical curriculum may improve the prescribing competencies of final-year students.

Motivations for and Challenges in the Development of Global Medical Curricula: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

The aim of this scoping review is to understand the motivations for the creation of global medical curricula, summarize methods that have been used to create these curricula, and understand the perceived premises for the creation of these curricula.

METHOD

In 2018, the authors used a comprehensive search strategy to identify papers on existing efforts to create global medical curricula published from 1998 to March 29, 2018, in the following databases: MEDLINE; MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, and Other Non-Indexed Citations; Embase; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; PsycINFO; CINAHL; ERIC; Scopus; African Index Medicus; and LILACS. There were no language restrictions. Two independent researchers applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data were abstracted from publications and summarized. The stated purposes, methods used for the development, stated motivations, and reported challenges of curricula were coded.

RESULTS

Of the 18,684 publications initially identified, 137 met inclusion criteria. The most common stated purposes for creating curricula were to define speciality-specific standards (50, 30%), to harmonize training standards (38, 23%), and to improve the quality or safety of training (31, 19%). The most common challenges were intercountry variation (including differences in health care systems, the operationalization of medical training, and sociocultural differences; 27, 20%), curricular implementation (20, 15%), and the need for a multistakeholder approach (6, 4%). Most curricula were developed by a social group (e.g., committee; 30, 45%) or Delphi or modified Delphi process (22, 33%).

CONCLUSIONS

The challenges of intercountry variation, the need for a multistakeholder approach, and curricular implementation need to be considered if concerns about curricular relevance are to be addressed. These challenges undoubtedly impact the uptake of global medical curricula and can only be addressed by explicit efforts to make curricula applicable to the realities of diverse health care settings.

Twelve tips for facilitating medical students prescribing learning on clinical placement

Prescribing is a complex clinical skill requiring mastery by the end of basic medical training. Prescribing errors are common in newly qualified doctors, aligned with expressed anxiety about prescribing, particularly with high-risk medications. Learning about prescribing needs to start early in medical training, underpinned by regular opportunities for reflective practice. Authentic learning within the clinical work environment is more effective than lecture based learning and allows potential immediate feedback. Educational strategies should support prescribing learning underpinned by appropriate formative and summative assessments. Students should routinely be expected to use resources including an online formulary, sustained through tracking individual progress through use of their own personal formulary or 'p' drugs. Regular prescribing practice with embedded feedback during undergraduate training will help to ensure newly qualified doctors are more confident and competent prescribers.

Student Characteristics Associated with Passing the Exam in Undergraduate Pharmacology Courses-a Cross-sectional Study in Six University Degree Programs

Adequate knowledge in pharmacology is crucial in many professions but a non-negligible proportion of students fail the exams and knowledge of underlying factors is largely lacking. This study was performed to evaluate to what extent various factors are related to student performance in pharmacology-related courses in higher education, linking administrative data to attendance at non-mandatory teaching sessions and questionnaire replies. A total of 596 students (median age: 22 years; 70% female) were included from eight courses which are part of either the medical, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, or biomedical analyst degree programs at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden. In all, 380 (64%) students passed the regular program- and course-specific exam. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a high participation rate in non-mandatory teaching sessions, as well as a perceived great interest in pharmacology, was associated with students' passing of the exam; adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.30 (1.19 to 1.42; per 10 percentage unit increase in attendance) and 3.38 (1.86 to 6.12), respectively. Working for wages during the course weeks and pre-university grades used in the program application were significant factors in subgroups of students, negatively and positively associated with the exam results, respectively. Age, having Swedish as a second language, and time spent studying were only associated with the exam result in the univariate analyses. To conclude, both students and teachers can contribute significantly to successful education within pharmacology, students by participating in the teaching sessions and teachers by encouraging students to find the subject interesting.

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance by promoting Antimicrobial stewardship in Medical and Allied Health Professional Curricula

INTRODUCTION

Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to global health with significantly higher morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. This review aims to discuss the importance of the promotion of antimicrobial stewardship in medical and allied health professional curricula and training/educating tomorrow's doctors in combatting antimicrobial resistance. A narrative literature review was conducted to retrieve relevant information related to antimicrobial resistance and stewardship and their implications on medical and allied health professional education and training from searches of computerized databases, hand searches, and authoritative texts.

AREAS COVERED

Antimicrobial stewardship programs improve rational antibiotic use, reduce antimicrobial resistance, decrease complications of antibiotic use, and improve patient outcomes. Though health professional students recognize the importance and impact of antibiotic prescribing knowledge, many studies have consistently demonstrated low levels of confidence and competencies amongst students, highlighting that health professional schools failed to prepare them to prescribe antibiotics accurately.

EXPERT OPINION

There is an urgent call for the integration of antimicrobial stewardship teaching at the undergraduate level of medical education to train future prescribers on this critical aspect of public health. Proper undergraduate education on rational antibiotics use would enable health professional graduates to enter clinical practice with adequate competencies to become rational prescribers.

Evaluating prescribing competencies covered in a Canadian-accredited undergraduate pharmacy program in Qatar: a curriculum mapping process

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the existing Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy [BSc (Pharm)] curriculum at Qatar University College of Pharmacy (QU CPH), for addressing international prescribing competencies.

METHODS

The Australian National Prescribing Service (NPS MedicineWise) Competencies Required to Prescribe Medicines framework (the Prescribing Competencies Framework) was used in the BSc (Pharm) curriculum mapping process. The NPS MedicineWise Prescribing Competencies Framework outlines seven competency areas that are essential for pharmacist prescribing. The first mapping activity assessed the learning outcomes (LOs) of 62 courses within the BSc (Pharm) curriculum for covering and addressing the NPS MedicineWise competencies. The second mapping activity involved matching the LOs identified to address the NPS MedicineWise prescribing competencies, to the 2017 Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) educational outcomes, on which the QU CPH BSc (Pharm) program is based. The AFPC educational outcomes address seven key program-level learning outcomes.

RESULTS

The QU CPH BSc (Pharm) curriculum addresses most of the prescribing competencies listed in the NPS MedicineWise Prescribing Competencies Framework. However, gaps were identified in the curricular content and in the LOs that were related, but not restricted, to the following: electronic prescribing, physical examinations/preparing patients for investigations, and policies/procedures and quality assurace related to prescribing. Other gaps identified include legislative and workplace requirements for obtaining consent to access confidential patient's health information.

CONCLUSION

The curriculum mapping exercise provided evidence that, for the most part, the existing BSc (Pharm) curriculum at QU CPH prepares pharmacy graduates for prescribing. However, there are areas that need better alignment between the taught curriculum and training on prescribing in practice. The results of this study are important to consider if pharmacist prescribing is to be implemented in Qatar.

Competence and confidence with prescribing in pharmacy and medicine: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

Prescribing is a growing scope of practice for pharmacists. The objective of this scoping review is to explore themes within the literature related to prescribing competence and confidence in the disciplines of pharmacy and medicine.

METHODS

Online databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Global Health were used to identify articles from inception to October 2018. Articles describing either the competence or confidence of physician, pharmacist or student prescribing, including inappropriate prescribing and prescribing errors were included.

KEY FINDINGS

After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 eligible articles remained. Many studies demonstrate that medical students and junior doctors are not competent in prescribing when they enter practice, and their perceived confidence is often higher than their assessed competence. There were fewer studies about pharmacist competence and confidence with prescribing; however, they described pharmacists that felt competent to prescribe but lacked confidence. Themes from the review included self-awareness, lack of education and educational improvements, prescribing errors and resources, prescribing culture and barriers to prescribing, gender differences and benefits to prescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

There is little consensus from the outcomes of these studies related to prescribing competence or confidence. While some reflect positively on prescribing competence and confidence, others show major deficits in competence and lack of confidence. Further research needs to be done to evaluate pharmacist competence and confidence with respect to prescribing.

Undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacovigilance education: A proposal for appropriate curriculum content

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common, often preventable, and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Pharmacovigilance (PV) involves detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem. Education of healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in drug prescription, dispensing and administration is essential to help prevent and mitigate both ADRs and medication errors and has to be focused on 3 pivotal aspects: •Awareness: All medicines can produce adverse effects. ADRs should always be considered as part of the differential diagnosis if any new adverse condition, symptoms or signs appear after a drug administration or during or after pharmacological treatment. •Knowledge: HCPs must have a sound understanding of the most frequently prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications, factors that make patients more likely to benefit or more susceptible to harm, as well as of causes of medication errors. •Reporting: HCPs should know how to report ADRs and the role of reporting on regulatory aspects and scientific knowledge. Undergraduate curricula must provide, at a minimum, sufficient skills that warrant the appropriate and safe prescription/dispensing/administration of medications in clinical practice, focusing both on therapeutic effects and prevention of harm. Clinical appraisal skills must include ADRs as differential diagnosis, taking accurate medication history, basic individual causality assessment, identification and proper management of ADRs, and informing patients of possible ADRs. Postgraduate periodic PV training should be mandatory as part of continuing education. Specialised postgraduate education should include advanced contents.

Perspectives of future pharmacists on the potential for development and implementation of pharmacist prescribing in Qatar

Background Pharmacists in many developed countries have been granted prescribing authorities under what is known as "non-medical prescribing" or "pharmacist prescribing". However, such prescribing privileges are not available in many developing countries. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the perspectives of future pharmacists (recent pharmacy graduates and pharmacy students) on pharmacist prescribing and its potential implementation in Qatar. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used: (1) a cross-sectional survey using a pre-tested questionnaire and; (2) focus group discussions to allow for an in-depth understanding of the issue, with a focus on pharmacists prescribing competencies as well as barriers for its implementation. Main outcome measures Future pharmacists' perspectives and attitudes towards pharmacist prescribing in Qatar. Results The majority of the respondents (94.4%) indicated awareness of the prescribing competency related to selecting treatment options. Furthermore, the majority (92.4%) believed that pharmacists should undergo prescribing training and accreditation before been legally allowed to prescribe, a point that was reiterated in the focus group discussions. Participants generally expressed support for collaborative and supplementary prescribing models when developing prescribing frameworks for Qatar. Four categories emerged under the theme barriers to implementation of pharmacist prescribing: lack of prescribing competency, pharmacist mindset, lack of accessibility to patient records and counseling rooms, and diversity of education and training background. Conclusion The majority of recent pharmacy graduates and students were in favor of pharmacist prescribing been implemented in Qatar. However, a special training program was deemed necessary to qualify pharmacists to prescribe safely and effectively.

WHO guide to good prescribing is 25 years old: quo vadis?

INTRODUCTION

Twenty-five years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Guide to Good Prescribing (GGP), followed by the accompanying Teacher's Guide to Good Prescribing (TGGP). The GGP is based on a normative 6-step model for therapeutic reasoning and prescribing, and provides a six-step guide for students to the process of rational prescribing.

METHOD

We reviewed the need to update both WHO publications by evaluating their use and impact, including new (theoretical) insights and demands. Based on information from literature, Internet, and other (personal) sources, we draw the following conclusions.

RESULTS

1. An update of the GGP and TGGP, both in terms of content and form, is necessary because of the current need for these tools (irrational medicine use and unavailability of medicines), the lack of similar documents, and the lack of connection with recent developments, such as Internet and modern education; 2. The basic (6-step) model of the GGP is effective in terms of rational prescribing in the undergraduate situation and is still consistent with current theories about (context) learning, clinical decision-making, and clinical practice; 3. The dissemination and introduction of the GGP and TGGP in education has been successful so far, but is still not optimal because of lack of support and cooperation.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the evaluation results, a plan for the revision of the GGP and TGGP is presented.

Are Dutch dental students and dental-care providers competent prescribers of drugs?

Dental students and dental‐care providers should be able to prescribe drugs safely and effectively. As it is unknown whether this is the case, we assessed and compared the prescribing competence of dental students and dental‐care providers in the Netherlands. In 2017, all Dutch final‐year dental students and a random sample of all qualified general dental practitioners and dental specialists (oral and maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists) were invited to complete validated prescribing knowledge‐assessment and skills‐assessment instruments. The knowledge assessment comprised 40 multiple‐choice questions covering important drug topics. The skills assessment comprised three common clinical case scenarios. For the knowledge assessment, the response rates were 26 (20%) dental students, 28 (8%) general dental practitioners, and 19 (19%) dental specialists, and for the skills assessment the response rates were 14 (11%) dental students, eight (2%) general dental practitioners, and eight (8%) dental specialists. Dental specialists had higher knowledge scores (78% correct answers) than either dental practitioners (69% correct answers) or dental students (69% correct answers). A substantial proportion of all three groups made inappropriate treatment choices (35%–49%) and prescribing errors (47%–70%). Although there were some differences, dental students and dental‐care providers in the Netherlands lack prescribing competence, which is probably because of poor prescribing education during under‐ and postgraduate dental training. Educational interventions are urgently needed.

"It's helpful to get the time and opportunity to discuss drug treatment; that's what I think is the most important thing."-A qualitative study on prescribing education in junior physicians

BACKGROUND

As prescribing skills are a prerequisite for rational use of medicines, and education and training are important in acquiring these skills, we aimed to explore what aspects junior physicians find important when being taught the art of prescribing.

METHODS

Written feedback from 34 interns after participating in an educational session as part of a randomized controlled study at a university hospital formed the qualitative data in this study. Manifest content analysis was performed, guided by the research question "Educating junior physicians in the art of prescribing: what aspects do they find important?" Meaning units were extracted and categorized, and emergent themes were identified.

RESULTS

Five themes emerged. The first, clinical relevance, was exemplified by the categories valuable for health care; perceived relevance for one's own work; and translating theory into practice while the second, applicable content, included categories such as clinical advice; practical tips on using the electronic medical record system; and tools that facilitate. The third and fourth themes, reality-based teaching and creative discussions, were exemplified by the categories patient cases and feedback; and discussion-based teaching; wide-ranging discussions and a permissive and open atmosphere, respectively. In the last theme, effective structure, we identified the categories clear structure; small group teaching; allocated time for discussion; well-organized administration; and home assignment for practice.

CONCLUSION

Creative discussions, effectively structured in small group sessions, with clinically relevant, reality-based content built on case studies and feedback, are aspects which junior physicians find important when educated in the art of prescribing.

Antibiotic Use: A Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating the Understanding, Usage and Perspectives of Medical Students and Pathfinders of a Public Defence University in Malaysia

Background: Antimicrobial prescribing behaviors are often influenced by the local culture and prescribing appropriateness of medical doctors and other health care professionals. Globally, antimicrobial utilization practices have a profound impact on antimicrobial resistance and are a tremendous public health concern. The aim of this survey was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of medical students from the National Defence University of Malaysia regarding antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance. Research design and methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of undergraduate medical students in each year group from the National Defence University of Malaysia. Students receive limited formal training on the use of antibiotics in their curriculum, and most of this learning is opportunistic whilst on clinical placement. Universal sampling was used as the study population was small. Data were collected utilizing a previously validated instrument regarding antibiotic use. Simple descriptive statistics were used to generate frequencies and percentages with SPSS V21. This research was approved by the Centre for Research and Innovation Management, National Defence University of Malaysia. Results: 206 questionnaires were distributed with a response rate of 99.03%, 54% (110) male, and 46% (94) female. Out of the respondents, 65% (132) had used antibiotics in the last year. Respondents displayed a moderate level of knowledge about antibiotics. Conclusions: This study revealed that the older the student was, or when the year of study and total knowledge score was higher, the students were less likely to stop antimicrobials when they felt better or use leftover antibiotics without consulting a doctor. Therefore, the nearer the students were to graduation, the better their knowledge and skills were, and this translated into their own behaviors regarding use of antimicrobials. This finding has clear implications for curriculum design and the inclusion of formal teaching throughout the medical program on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, more research is needed on this topic, including the prescribing habits and antibiotic use of practicing doctors.

Digital Learning to Improve Safe and Effective Prescribing: A Systematic Review

With the aim to modernize and harmonize prescribing education, the European Association for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (EACPT) Working Group on education recommended the extensive use and distribution of digital learning resources (DLRs). However, it is unclear whether the complex task of prescribing medicine can be taught digitally. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the effect of diverse DLRs in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics education. Databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, and CENTRAL were systematically searched. Sixty-five articles were included in the analyses. Direct effects on patients were studied, but not detected, in six articles. Skills and behavior were studied in 11 articles, 8 of which reported positive effects. Knowledge acquisition was investigated in 19 articles, all with positive effects. Qualitative analyses yielded 10 recommendations for the future development of DLRs. Digital learning is effective in teaching knowledge, attitudes, and skills associated with safe and effective prescribing.

Using prescribing very short answer questions to identify sources of medication errors: a prospective study in two UK medical schools

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility and ability of the novel prescribing very short answer (VSA) question format to identify the sources of undergraduate prescribing errors when compared with the conventional single best answer (SBA) question format and assess the acceptability of machine marking prescribing VSAs.

DESIGN

A prospective study involving analysis of data generated from a pilot two-part prescribing assessment.

SETTING

Two UK medical schools.

PARTICIPANTS

364 final year medical students took part. Participation was voluntary. There were no other inclusion or exclusion criteria.

OUTCOMES

(1) Time taken to mark and verify VSA questions (acceptability), (2) differences between VSA and SBA scores, (3) performance in VSA and (4) SBA format across different subject areas and types of prescribing error made in the VSA format.

RESULTS

18 200 prescribing VSA questions were marked and verified in 91 min. The median percentage score for the VSA test was significantly lower than the SBA test (28% vs 64%, p<0.0001). Significantly more prescribing errors were detected in the VSA format than the SBA format across all domains, notably in prescribing insulin (96.4% vs 50.3%, p<0.0001), fluids (95.6% vs 55%, p<0.0001) and analgesia (85.7% vs 51%, p<0.0001). Of the incorrect VSA responses, 33.1% were due to the medication prescribed, 6.0% due to the dose, 1.4% due to the route and 4.8% due to the frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescribing VSA questions represent an efficient tool for providing detailed insight into the sources of significant prescribing errors, which are not identified by SBA questions. This makes the prescribing VSA a valuable formative assessment tool to enhance students' skills in safe prescribing and to potentially reduce prescribing errors.

Towards a "prescribing license" for medical students: development and quality evaluation of an assessment for safe prescribing

PURPOSE

This report describes the development and validation process of an assessment with national consensus in appropriate and safe pharmacotherapy.

METHODS

A question-database on safe prescription based on literature of pharmacotherapy-related harm was developed by an expert group from Dutch medical faculties. Final-year medical students concluded a 2-year education program on appropriate and safe prescription by one of nine assessment variants of 40 multiple-choice questions each. An expert panel of professionals (n = 10) answered all database questions and rated questions on relevance. Questions were selected for revision based on lack of relevance or poor test and item characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 576 final-year medical students of the Radboud University was assessed. There was no significant difference in performance between students and content expert group (p = 0.7), probably due to learning behavior. Out of 165 questions, 59 were selected for revision.

CONCLUSION

Joint national effort from a team of experts in prescription and pharmacotherapy is an appropriate way to achieve a valid and reliable last-year student drug prescription assessment.

Appropriate antibiotic prescribing among final-year medical students in Europe

Little is known about undergraduate education on antibiotic prescribing in Europe and even less about the antibiotic prescribing skills of nearly-graduated medical students. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic prescribing skills of final-year medical students across Europe and the education they received during medical training. In a cross-sectional study, final-year medical students from 17 medical schools in 15 European countries were asked to prescribe for two written case reports of infectious diseases (acute bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia). The appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy was determined using a scoring form based on local guidelines. Teachers from each medical school were asked to complete a standardised questionnaire about the teaching and assessment of undergraduate education on antibiotic use. In total, 856 final-year medical students (95.6%) completed the assessment and 16 teachers (94.1%) completed the questionnaire. Overall, 52.7% (range 26-83%) of the 1.683 therapies prescribed were considered appropriate. The mean number of contact hours for undergraduate education on antimicrobials was 25.6 (range 2-90). Differences in education styles were found to have a significant impact on students' performance, with a problem-based learning style being associated with more appropriate antimicrobial prescribing than a traditional learning style (46.0% vs. 22.9%; P < 0.01). Although there are differences between medical schools, final-year medical students in Europe lack prescribing skills for two common infectious diseases, possibly because of inadequate undergraduate education on antibiotic use and general prescribing. To improve students' skills, interactive teaching methods such as prescribing for simulated and real patients should be used.