Evidence - Based Practice among Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students in South India

Author: Vijaya Bhaskar Erla, Niharika Veldurthi, Nikitha Preethi Neeruganti, Mohanraj Rathinavelu

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Abstract

To enable the millennial graduating pharmacy students and current professional practitioners, to satisfy the 21st-century healthcare and pharmacotherapy need with clinical expertise and patient values based on research evidence and attain seven-star pharmacist’s principle. The current study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception regarding evidence-based pharmacy practice among pharmacy students and practitioners at community settings of south India, through a validated standardized 15 inventories self-administered questionnaire. The study observed a very good knowledge among pharmacy practice students and community pharmacists, but was lacking its perception, due to failure in establishing the relationship between quality professional development and continuous learning process. Implementation of novel approach from the start of teaching-learning process to realistic practice called evidence-based practice in profession of pharmacy, for which the research evidences are very limited and the practice is at still infancy in developing countries. To achieve the mission of pharmacy practice the study necessitates the implementation of quality teaching-learning, research, and practices in pharmacy through evidence-based practice by the statutory bodies, regulating agencies, and policymakers as a problem-solving tool; and also recommends the millennial students and practitioners as an obligation to improve their competencies and skills, to promote excellence in practice for the benefit of those served.

Keywords

Evidence based practice, pharmacy, practitioners, students, self-administered questionnaire

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study recommends the statutory bodies, regulating agencies, and policymakers to introduce and sensitize pharmacy education pedagogy, research and practices through evidence-based medicine. This prepares the millennial pharmacists as pharmacotherapeutic specialists to assist clinical leaders in making rational decisions.

References

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How to cite this article

Vijaya Bhaskar Erla, Niharika Veldurthi, Nikitha Preethi Neeruganti, Mohanraj Rathinavelu (2023). Evidence - Based Practice among Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students in South India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 394-398.