Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3957

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Publication type: Journal Article

Kreling DH, Szvimbo JW.
Drug information sources used by physicians and pharmacists: a study of public hospitals in Zimbabwe
Journal of Social and Administrative Pharmacy 1989; 6:197-207

Abstract:

The types of drug information sources available and used by physicians and pharmacists in public hospitals in Zimbabwe were investigated. A mail survey was performed, with the help of a collaborator, of one representative physician and pharmacist in each of 50 hospitals in Zimbabwe. Overall, 53 usable responses resulted, representing 29 (58%) of the hospitals surveyed. Drug package inserts (DPIs) and Monthly Index of Medical Specialties-Africa (MIMS-Africa) were the most frequently used sources, reported by 44 and 43 respectively, of the total respondents. They were followed in popularity by Martindale’s Extra Pharmacopoeia, the British National Formulary, Essential Drug List for Zimbabwe A (EDLIZ), and other commercial and non-commercial sources. Respondents from urban hospitals reported having available and using more sources than their rural counterparts. Pharmacists more often reported using non-commercial compendia whereas more physicians reportedly used commercial compendia.

Keywords:
*analytic survey/Zimbabwe/developing countries/doctors/pharmacies and pharmacists/hospitals/source of information/Medical Index of Monthly Specialties/MIMS/commercial compendia/PROMOTION AND HEALTH NEEDS: PROMOTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES/PROMOTION AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: DOCTORS/PROMOTION AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: PHARMACISTS