Comparison of prescription behaviors between practicing physicians and pharmacists by simulated patients with common cold

Cho, Hong Jun; Woo, Suk Kyun; Hong, Chun Taik; Suh, Eung Kyung

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists could dispense medicines without doctors' prescription in Korea before July 2000. The aim of this study was to compare the prescription behaviors of practicing doctors and pharmacists to common cold by the simulated patients. We selected the common cold as a subject of simulation because it was the most frequent health problem to visit doctors and pharmacists and the abuse of antibiotics might be prevalent in management of it.
METHODS
Seventy five private clinics and drug stores were selected in Seoul, Korea. The simulated patients were selected and trained standardized symptoms of common cold. The simulated patients recorded the prescription behaviors of doctors and pharmacists.
RESULTS
Average number of prescribed medicines were 5.0 and 5.6 in clinic and drug store respectively. 54.7% of the clinics and 61.3% of the drug stores prescribed antibiotics respectively with no significant difference between them. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were penicillines. About 7% of the doctors and 11% of the pharmacist prescribed glucocorticoid to simulated patients respectively. About 20% of the pharmacists performed some kinds of physical examination to the simulated patients. Both doctors and pharmacist gave little information or advice on use of medicines, possible side effects and past side effects of medicines.
CONCLUSION
There were frequent abuse of antibiotics and occasional use of glucocorticoid in private clinics and drug stores. Both doctors and pharmacists did not give enough information on use of medicines to the simulated patients.