E Learning on Pharmacotherapy

Abstract

Problems due to pharmacotherapy occur frequently in hospitalized patients. Many of these derive from prescribing errors that lead to potential preventable morbidity, mortality, and costs. The majority are caused by pain medication (NSAIDs and opiates), (combination of) anticoagulants, antidiabetics, and cardiovascular drugs. Also drugs which are renally excreted confer a risk.The care for these patients is provided by relatively inexperienced physicians. These junior doctors do not consider themselves well enough trained to prescribe. Last, they are supervised by surgeons who have no specific expertise for this complex pharmacotherapy. A strategy to reduce prescribing errors aims at educating the prescriber. This has been shown to reduce prescribing errors.Currently, an e-learning program aimed to educate starting physicians in the hospital is being developed both in Dutch and English. Subjects that will be covered by the program are pain management, anticoagulant therapy, fluid and electrolyte management, and glucose management. Currently, the program on pain management is available. The program starts and ends with a test. Ultimately, the program could be used to test whether a starting physician is able to prescribe safely in a hospital setting and deserves a “license to prescribe.” Problems due to pharmacotherapy occur frequently in hospitalized patients. Many of these derive from prescribing errors that lead to potential preventable morbidity, mortality, and costs. The majority are caused by pain medication (NSAIDs and opiates), (combination of) anticoagulants, antidiabetics, and cardiovascular drugs. Also drugs which are renally excreted confer a risk. The care for these patients is provided by relatively inexperienced physicians. These junior doctors do not consider themselves well enough trained to prescribe. Last, they are supervised by surgeons who have no specific expertise for this complex pharmacotherapy. A strategy to reduce prescribing errors aims at educating the prescriber. This has been shown to reduce prescribing errors. Currently, an e-learning program aimed to educate starting physicians in the hospital is being developed both in Dutch and English. Subjects that will be covered by the program are pain management, anticoagulant therapy, fluid and electrolyte management, and glucose management. Currently, the program on pain management is available. The program starts and ends with a test. Ultimately, the program could be used to test whether a starting physician is able to prescribe safely in a hospital setting and deserves a “license to prescribe.”