Abstract
Objective of this prospective study was to assess the acquisition of prescribing skill of preclinical medical and dental undergraduate students. Prescription writing skills of 258 students of both first and second year of MBBS and BDS students were analyzed through an objective structured practical examination. MBBS student of second year scored 85.01% and 92.82% respectively in physician and drug related component whereas first year MBBS students scored 89.9% and 83.4%. BDS student of first year scored 91.96% and 86.33% in physician and drug related components which is better than second year that scored 83.33% and 77.94% respectively. This study revealed that the students of both courses acquire prescribing skills to a limited extent during preclinical phase. Prescribing errors were found both in physician and drug related components. To minimize the different form of prescribing errors vigorous training in the internship period will help to minimize prescribing errors and improve rational prescribing too.
Highlights
Prescribing appropriate drugs in correct doses is an important part by which a physician may influence their patient's health
Proper prescription writing, which is an essential skill for doctors in medical specialties, is the primary intervention that doctors offer to the suffering humanity.[1]
The study provides an insight into prescription writing skill amongst preclinical MBBS and bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) students
Summary
Prescribing appropriate drugs in correct doses is an important part by which a physician may influence their patient's health. Both oral and written communication skills are important in the daily work of a physician to the patients. Unwise prescribing may assume several forms i.e. under, over, inappropriate, irrational and other prescribing errors.[2] So a budding doctor who is entering the practical field should know how to prescribe safely and correctly and for this the knowledge and understanding, skill and attitude is required by medical graduates.[2] In this aspect knowledge of Pharmacology is the core component of undergraduate (UG) teaching curriculum when students learn about different drug formulations and the art of prescription writing
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