Abstract
This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Medical student perceptions of their knowledge and skills in pharmacology in their first and final clinical years were investigated. An online survey investigated qualitative and quantitative data. Resources that the students relied on to support their knowledge in this area included pharmacists and the Australian Medicines Handbook. Suggested areas for curriculum review include having more formal teaching in this area and having more prescribing practice.
Highlights
Pharmacology is an increasingly important area of study for medical students because it provides the scientific basis for safe and rational prescribing of medications (Gwee, 2009) and the foundation for practice (Richir et al, 2008; Lum, Mitchell and Coombes, 2013)
Educational institutions and professional organisations have important roles to play in meeting the goal recently stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the severe avoidable harms related to medications (WHO, 2017)
This study investigates the perceptions of students in their first clinical year and in their final clinical year, with respect to their knowledge and skills in therapeutics, and to aspects of their teaching and learning experience in pharmacology
Summary
Pharmacology is an increasingly important area of study for medical students because it provides the scientific basis for safe and rational prescribing of medications (Gwee, 2009) and the foundation for practice (Richir et al, 2008; Lum, Mitchell and Coombes, 2013). Some students may think that they will improve their prescribing skills after finishing medical school, but research shows that despite gains in general experience, prescribing skills do not improve much after graduation (de Vries et al, 1994). In studies of both final year medical students and interns (Coombes, Mitchell and Stowasser, 2008; Heaton, Webb and Maxwell, 2008), there was consensus that there was a lack of training and preparedness for safe prescribing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
