A Questionnaire-Based Study to Evaluate the Basic Understanding of Pharmacovigilance of the Under Graduate Medical Students of a Rural Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) have presently been greatly contributing to the hospitaladmissions, prolongation of the hospital stays, visits to the emergency departments, in turn, contributingto the economic burden of healthcare management. Pharmacovigilance is predominantly concerned withADRs, and drug safety. The basic understanding about pharmacovigilance is essential for future medicalprofessionals as they will come in contact with the patients and can efficiently report the ADRs.Aim: To evaluate the basic understanding about pharmacovigilance and create awareness in medical studentsof a rural teaching hospital.Materials & Methods: This was a non-interventional questionnaire-based study, where medical studentsfrom a rural teaching hospital were included in the study. They were distributed a simple questionnairerelated to pharmacovigilance basic knowledge, through google form link, which they had submitted. Thedata was analysed.Results: Total 92 participants were included in the study. It was found that, 57.8% of these were female and42.2% were males. Moreover, regarding assessing the basic pharmacovigilance knowledge it was reportedthat 98.9% were aware about healthcare professionals who can report ADR. Nearly 83.5% were aware aboutpharmacovigilance. Nearly 70% of the participants had not heard about pharmacovigilance before joiningpharmacology lectures. Majority of the participants had never attended any seminar/workshops and agreedto attend in future.Conclusion: The results indicate that the basic understanding about pharmacovigilance is improving andmedical student shows interest about creating awareness related to pharmacovigilance, as it is an importantaspect of drug safety. However, to further improve their understanding awareness programs for medicalstudent can be conducted.