ABSTRACT
Title
Consultancy Pharmacology as an activity of an Independent Service of Information and Formation on Medicine.
Authors
F. Ligas1, A. Deidda1, V. Deiana1, M. Pinna1, M.E. Stochino1, M. Del Zompo1,2, R. Ardau2.
1Section of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Neurosciences “B.B. Brodie”, University of Cagliari
2Unit of Clinical Pharmacology - AOUCA, Cagliari
1Section of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Neurosciences “B.B. Brodie”, University of Cagliari
2Unit of Clinical Pharmacology - AOUCA, Cagliari
Abstract
Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is an approach to clinical practice which integrates medical expertise with the rational use of the best scientific current evidence available in literature, representing an essential tool for the correct prescription and employment of drugs.
Considering the wide therapeutic armament available to clinicians, the prescription of a drug often becomes difficult due to the impossibility to have a rapid access to independent and updated EBM-based information on drugs.
In 2002 the Service of Consultancy Pharmacologywas created at the Unit of Clinical Pharmacology of the Hospital-University Agency of Cagliari (AOUCA) with the aim of facilitating knowledge on drugs, encouraging the proper use of drugs and supporting the physician in the prescriptive act.
The objective of this poster is to describe the activities and potentialities of the Service of Consultancy Pharmacology as an effective tool for the application of EBM in clinical practice.
Consultancy Pharmacology offers specific knowledge and quick fruition on drug related issues. The service is managed by specialists in clinical pharmacology who provide answers to specific questions on drugs sent to the service by general physicians, paediatricians, hospital doctors, other specialists, Health Management Services and Pharmacies.
All the information related to a specific request is provided through a written response. The subject of the problems submitted to the Service is variable and in any case the direct interaction with the clinician is necessary for the correct formulation of the request.
From 2005 to 2010, 194 pharmacological consultations have been performed in our centre, regarding issues such as: use of drugs during pregnancy (62%), occurrence of adverse drug reactions caused by a single drug (9%) or more drugs (10%), placement of drugs in the treatment guidelines (6%), drug interactions (6%), drugs taken in specific pathological conditions (3%), treatment options (2%), and other type of requests (2%).
The activity of Consultancy Pharmacology, through the continuous exchange of information, represents: a valid tool to facilitate knowledge on drugs and encourage their "good use", a training instrument for clinicians with the purpose of improving the quality of healthcare and rationalizing the use of medications.
Considering the wide therapeutic armament available to clinicians, the prescription of a drug often becomes difficult due to the impossibility to have a rapid access to independent and updated EBM-based information on drugs.
In 2002 the Service of Consultancy Pharmacologywas created at the Unit of Clinical Pharmacology of the Hospital-University Agency of Cagliari (AOUCA) with the aim of facilitating knowledge on drugs, encouraging the proper use of drugs and supporting the physician in the prescriptive act.
The objective of this poster is to describe the activities and potentialities of the Service of Consultancy Pharmacology as an effective tool for the application of EBM in clinical practice.
Consultancy Pharmacology offers specific knowledge and quick fruition on drug related issues. The service is managed by specialists in clinical pharmacology who provide answers to specific questions on drugs sent to the service by general physicians, paediatricians, hospital doctors, other specialists, Health Management Services and Pharmacies.
All the information related to a specific request is provided through a written response. The subject of the problems submitted to the Service is variable and in any case the direct interaction with the clinician is necessary for the correct formulation of the request.
From 2005 to 2010, 194 pharmacological consultations have been performed in our centre, regarding issues such as: use of drugs during pregnancy (62%), occurrence of adverse drug reactions caused by a single drug (9%) or more drugs (10%), placement of drugs in the treatment guidelines (6%), drug interactions (6%), drugs taken in specific pathological conditions (3%), treatment options (2%), and other type of requests (2%).
The activity of Consultancy Pharmacology, through the continuous exchange of information, represents: a valid tool to facilitate knowledge on drugs and encourage their "good use", a training instrument for clinicians with the purpose of improving the quality of healthcare and rationalizing the use of medications.