Emami AH¹ (MD), Mohammadi A² * (MD, MPH), Mojtahedzadeh R³ (MD, MPH), Dehpour M⁴ (MSc)

  ¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

  ² Department of Medical Education, Center for Excellence in E-learning in Medical Education,

  Tehran University of Medical Sciences

  ³ Distance Learning Office, Center for Excellence in E-learning in Medical Education,

  Tehran University of Medical Sciences

  ⁴ Department of Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

  Received: 3 Apr 2011, Accepted: 23 June 2011

  Abstract

  Introduction: Education is a key element for the success of health services delivery. Pamphlet is a distance learning method of education. Regarding the critical role of correct and reasonable prescriptions by physicians, we aimed to investigate the effect of sending an educational pamphlet to general practitioners on their prescribing skills.

  Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial. We randomly assessed 600 prescriptions of general practitioners to identify their errors. Based on the most common content errors and literature review, we developed an educational pamphlet under supervision of clinical pharmacology professors. A total of 200 general practitioners (100 individuals in each intervention and control groups) were randomly selected from the general practitioners in contract with the Social Security Organization of Tehran and their prescriptions were assessed in a one-month period. The pamphlets were sent to the intervention group. The prescriptions of both groups were assessed after three months.

  Results: A significant decrease was evidenced in the number of prescribing medicines (p=0.014) (from 3.61±0.87 before the intervention to 3.50±0.95 after the intervention) in the intervention group. Decreases in prescription of injections (p=0.024), Corticosteroids (p=0.036), the 3rd generation of Cephalosporin (p=0.017) and Non steroidal inflammatory drugs (p=0.005) were also observed in the prescriptions of the intervention group after the intervention.

  Conclusion: As general practitioners are often unwilling to participate in face to face teaching programs, the results of this study showed that a suitable educational pamphlet has significant effects on GPs’ prescribing skill. Pamphlets should be used as a means of continuous medical education.

  Key words: Educational media, Pamphlet, Reasonable prescription, Continuous education, General practitioners

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Emami AH, Mohammadi A, Mojtahedzadeh R, Dehpour M. Effect of an Educational Pamphlet on General Practitioners' Prescribing Skill: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Hakim Research Journal 2011 14(2): 66- 72.

  * Corresponding Author: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 7th floor, Central Blvd. of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Qods St., Keshavarz Blvd., Tehran. Iran, Postal Code: 1417653761. Tel: +98- 21- 81633704 Fax: +98- 21- 66495947. E-mail: aeen_mohammadi@tums.ac.ir