Bissell, L, Vincent, T, Taylor, C J and Okorie, M (2019) SmartDrug: an interactive student e-formulary. In: The Future of Safe Prescribing, 29/03/2019, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin. (Accepted)

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Abstract

Background and Aim
Graduating medical students do not feel confident prescribing and junior doctors have the highest prescribing error rates. This might suggest suboptimal preparation of students by medical schools for this complex task.

Prescribing errors are more likely with the most commonly prescribed (core) drugs, the list of which remains stable and clinically relevant over time (1, 2). However, it can be challenging to develop an appropriate mode of delivery of teaching and learning about core drugs that is user friendly and pedagogically effective.

In order for students to optimise their familiarity with core drugs, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) introduced a new teaching and learning resource known as SmartDrug. This bespoke interactive student e-formulary maps relevant medicines to clinical rotations and attempts to contextualise their use in clinical practice.

Summary of work
BSMS core drugs list was compiled following a survey of specialists and GPs on their most commonly prescribed drugs. Relevant scenarios were written for each of the clinical rotations in phase 2 (Years 3 and 4) of the BM BS course. Each clinical scenario includes questions which encourage therapeutic decision making. When the appropriate drug is selected by the student, it is linked to a drug information sheet and by a process of self-directed learning, the student populates the sheet with personalised drug information. The British National Formulary and electronic Medicines Compendium are accessible via this platform.

Some unique features of SmartDrug include: instant feedback on therapeutic decision making, mobile-responsive design which enables use on mobile devices and a prescribing tips facility which provides an easily accessible route to personalised notes in a clinical setting.

Student evaluation of SmartDrug is planned.

Discussion
SmartDrug is an interactive resource that attempts to facilitate experiential learning and stimulate medical student engagement in teaching and learning about core drugs. Further development of this resource might include practical electronic prescribing capabilities and linking drugs to appropriate curriculum content.

Conclusion
This approach to teaching and learning about core drugs might contribute to making medical students safer prescribers which might reduce the prescribing error burden.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Keywords:	Prescribing e-learning medical students formulary
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Brighton and Sussex Medical School Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Division of Medical Education
Subjects:	R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM0138 Drug prescribing R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM0139 Prescription writing R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM0146 Misuse of therapeutic drugs. Medication errors R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM0300 Drugs and their actions
Depositing User:	Michael Okorie
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2019 11:04
Last Modified:	01 Apr 2019 11:07
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/82897

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