The Attitudes and Behaviours of Physicians Working in Burdur, Turkey Toward Rational Medicine Use

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to define the manner and behaviour of first line treatment physicians' and general practitionars that work in the second line treatment hospitals regarding rational medicine use (RMU) in the centre of Burdur and its surrounding districts. Material and Method: This descriptive study includes first line treatment physicians' prescribing medication and general practitionars that work in the second line treatment hospitals (total N=102) in the centre of Burdur, Turkey and its surrounding districts. There was no sampling for the study. All the physicians who agreed to participate were reached through a survey taker with a face-to-face interview between April 1, 2015 and July 7, 2015. 98 physicians participated in the study. The data from the study were analysed using the SPSS 17.0 for Windows program. Measurable values were described as arithmetic mean and standard deviation, and countable values were calculated as numbers and percentage. Results: In the study including 98 physicians, 78 (79.6%) of them were males, 75 (76.5%) were married, and their average age was 40.77 +/- 8.77. The leading factors affecting physicians' prescriptions were post-graduate studies as cited by 82 (83.7%) and pharmacology lessons for 75 (76.5%). Drug company presentations were the least important factor, cited by 22 physicians (22.4%). The most important criteria for physicians in prescribing were the effectiveness of the drug as cited by 97 (99%) and reliability of the drug for 96 (98%). Also, 98 of the physicians (100%) stated that patients asked them to prescribe certain drugs. However, only eight physicians (8.2%) indicated that they always prescribed the drug demanded by the patient while 88 physicians (89.8%) indicated that they sometimes did this. Discussion: Physicians are frequently asked by patients to prescribe painkillers and antibiotics. However, the physicians cannot always meet these demands from the RMU point of view. Our study revealed that physicians should be informed about RMU principles within the scope of continuing medical education. This topic is important for patients' lives and safety.