@article {150, title = {Teaching P-drug Selection: Experiences from a Medical School in India}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {1}, year = {2012}, month = {April 2012}, pages = {9-14}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {9}, abstract = {

Background: Incorporation of Personal drug (P-drug) selection exercise into medical undergraduate curriculum was recommended to reduce irrational prescribing during future practice. At Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), India, P-drug selection exercise was included in pharmacology curriculum in 2010 for 2nd year MBBS students. Objective: The study was conducted to develop a module to teach P-drug selection and to investigate students{\textquoteright} perceptions regarding P-drug selection teaching and assessment. Materials and method: Module was developed to teach P-drug selection for an acute attack of angina and dry cough based on a manual called as {\textquoteleft}Guide to Good Prescribing{\textquoteright} developed by the WHO Action Program on Essential Drugs. Power point slides, handouts with drug costs and current guidelines were used during teaching learning activities. Later students were assessed on P-drug selection by asking them to derive a P-drug for an acute attack of angina. Students{\textquoteright} answers were assessed using a checklist. Later students{\textquoteright} perceptions regarding P-drug selection teaching and assessment were collected using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Students{\textquoteright} responses were expressed as median and inter quartile range. Responses to open ended questions were tabulated in the decreasing order of frequency of appearance. \% of students who scored >=4 (= pass) marks was noted. Result: 90\% (95/106) of students responded in the questionnaire. Most of the items in the questionnaire related to teaching and assessment had a median score of >=3. 94.3\% of students had scored >=4 in P-drug selection exercise. 84\% of students felt that P-drug selection teaching helped them to understand pharmacology better. They wanted more such exercises and more explanation to understand P-drug concept better. Conclusion: Study led to development of P-drug selection teaching module acceptable to students. Furthermore it also provided scope for the refinement of newly developed module based on students{\textquoteright} perceptions.

}, keywords = {Medical, P-drug, Perceptions, Pharmacology, Questionnaire, Student, Teaching, Undergraduate}, author = {Vasudha Devi} }