Background: Clinical pharmacology (CP) promotes rational use of drugs by integrating pharmacological and medical knowledge. Knowledge helps in enlightening others while attitude and practices define the health-related behavior.
Aims and Objectives: This study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice on setting up of CP department among health-care professionals in a tertiary care hospital of South India.
Materials and Methods: It was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Pharmacology of a Government Medical College in South Kerala, India. A preformed structured questionnaire consisting of 30 questions (12 questions on knowledge, 9 on attitude, and 9 on practices with appropriate scores) were distributed, filled and collected from pharmacology department and analyzed. Descriptive analysis of data was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16.
Results: Out of total 30 distributed questionnaires, all were completely filled (100% response rate) and considered for analysis. Participants had good knowledge regarding CP with mean correct response 17.88 ± 3.8 (74.5%). Mean scores of attitude and practices related questions were found to be 16.93 ± 1.25 (94.06%) and 14.03 ± 2.02 (77.9%), respectively.
Conclusions: Participants had an excellent positive attitude regarding setting up of a CP unit with good knowledge and practices. There is a compelling need to set up CP department in Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, which will pave ways to major contribution in teaching, patient care, and research.
Key words: Clinical Pharmacology Department; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice
|
