Impact of hands-on training of prescription writing on quality of prescription: a cross-sectional study

Chirag R. Nandha; Ashish A. Savani; Charvi P. Mistry; Dharti J. Kansagra; Niraj A. Bharadva

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252120

Authors

Chirag R. Nandha Department of Community Medicine, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Ashish A. Savani Department of Community Medicine, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Vadodara, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5606-1130
Charvi P. Mistry Department of Community Medicine, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Vadodara, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5630-5397
Dharti J. Kansagra Department of Community Medicine, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Vadodara, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5026-3755
Niraj A. Bharadva Department of Community Medicine, Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Vadodara, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4454-8636

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252120

Keywords:

Drug prescription, Quality improvement, Training

Abstract

Background: Prescription writing assessment is considered an important parameter to ensure rational drug use. Prescription errors can result from an individual as well as system-related factors. A systematic analysis of prescriptions can detect these errors through the prescription audit. Proper training can change the quality of prescription. This study aims to determine the impact of such training on quality of prescription.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the impact of training. Initially baseline data was collected of all prescriptions prescribed at Rural Health Training Center in terms of completeness and quality writing of prescription. This data collection was followed by hands-on training of interns and repeat audit was with prescription of subsequent quarters. To assess the impact of training on prescription writing practices, training session organized for the inters posted at the RHTC.

Results: Improvement was evident in both parameters of prescription writing, completeness of writing as well as quality of prescription. Few striking points of prescription completeness like writing down systemic examination (p = <0.00001, Z = -18.814) and mentioning patient’s allergy status (p = <0.00001, Z = -6.125). Improvement also seen in quality of prescription like writing generic name of drugs (p = <0.00001, Z = -11.123) and handwriting (p = <0.00001, Z = -6.022).

Conclusion: Regular training to the staff about the prescription writing may help to overcome irrational prescribing of the drugs and antibiotics.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Sharma M, Payal N, Devi LS, Gautam D, Khandait M, Hazarika K, et al. Study on prescription audit from a rural tertiary care hospital in north India. J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2021;15(4):1931-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.15.4.14

National Institute of Clinical Excellence. Principles for Best Practice in Clinical Audit. Radcliffe Publishing; 2002:208.

Velo GP, Minuz P. Medication errors: prescribing faults and prescription errors. Brit J Clin Pharm. 2009;67(6):624-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2009.03425.x

Banerjee I, Bhadury T. Prescribing pattern of interns in a primary health center in India. J Basic Clin Pharm. 2014;5(2):40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-0105.134980

Gopalakrishnan S, Ganeshkumar P, Katta A. Assessment of prescribing practices among urban and rural general practitioners in Tamil Nadu. Indian J Pharmacol. 2013;45(3):252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.111931

Atal S, Jhaj R, Mathur A, Rai N, Misra S, Sadasivam B. Outpatient prescribing trends, rational use of medicine and impact of prescription audit with feedback at a tertiary care centre in India. Health Plann Manage. 2021;36(3):738-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3116

Joshi R, Medhi B, Prakash A, Chandy S, Ranjalkar J, Bright HR, et al. Assessment of prescribing pattern of drugs and completeness of prescriptions as per the World Health Organization prescribing indicators in various Indian tertiary care centers: a multicentric study by Rational Use of Medicines Centers- Indian Council of Medical Research network under National Virtual Centre Clinical Pharmacology activity. Indian J Pharmacol. 2022;54(5):321-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijp.ijp_976_21

Barber N. Reducing prescribing error: competence, control, and culture. Qual Saf Health Care. 2003;12(90001):29i-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/qhc.12.suppl_1.i29

Thenrajan P, Murugan Pr. Impact of patient-based teaching in improving prescription writing skills of II MBBS students. Int J App Basic Med Res. 2016;6(3):174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-516X.186954

Ahmed M, Ahsan A, Selal Zia M, Tul Ain Q, Khurshid S, Basit J, et al. Enhancing WHO prescription writing guideline adherence through an educational intervention: a quality improvement study of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Int J Surg. 2024;110(10):6617-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JS9.0000000000001828

Lo YYC, Lam CLK, Mercer SW, Fong DYT. Does vocational training in family medicine have an impact on antibiotic prescribing pattern? Fam Pract. 2011;28(1):56-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmq065