Background: Pharmacovigilance (PV) is an important therapeutic discipline for assuring optimal pharmaceutical use and patient safety. The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of PV between 2nd-year medical and nursing students in a government medical college of West Bengal, India.
Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the KAP of PV among 2nd-year medical students and nursing students and to compare their differences if any.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, and questionnaire-based study conducted between two groups of students, medical and nursing, who were interviewed with a prevalidated questionnaire. Demographic data and questions regarding KAP of PV were included in the study. Details and purpose of the study were explained to the students. The collected data were analyzed statistically and the comparison between the two groups was done.
Results: A total of 260 students were interviewed, of whom 242 participants were selected involving 184 medical students and 58 nursing students. Our results showed both medical and nursing students had adequate knowledge and attitude about PV. However, there were significant differences among the two groups in terms of ease and know how about reporting adverse drug reactions (ADR).
Conclusion: PV is an integral part of healthcare and patient safety. The knowledge required to guarantee the safe use of pharmaceuticals is therefore a requirement for all healthcare students to undergo a PV and ADR course as part of their curricula.
Key words: Pharmacovigilance; Adverse Drug Reaction; Medical Students; Nursing Students; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice
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