Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARDS DRUG FOOD INTERACTIONS AMONG RESIDENT DOCTORS AND REGISTERED CLINICAL PRACTITIONERS.

Dr. Pooja Santosh Mhaisne*, Dr. Milind L. Pardeshi

ABSTRACT

Background: Drug Food interactions (DFI) are defined as alterations in drug’s pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics as a result of food or changes to nutrients caused by drugs. The recognition of the importance of drug food interactions to practice has been growing much slower. Healthcare professionals play a vital role in preventing drug food interactions and clear understanding of this can lead to rational use of drugs. Objectives: To assess resident doctors and registered clinical practitioners understanding regarding Drug food interactions. Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted in resident doctors and registered clinical practitioners after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Data was collected over 2 months by giving structured validated questionnaire to the study participants in the form of hard copy. Data was analyzed usingMicrosoft Excel with descriptive statistics. Results: As per this study, 63% Participants had primary concern of drug food interaction, 80% believed that DFI can significantly impact patient’s outcomes, 68% reviewed patient’s medication for DFI, 89% know that citrus food increases Iron absorption, 77% knew that high fat diet increases Griseofulvin absorption, 49% lacked knowledge that spinach decreases the absorption of Warfarin. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence about DFI awareness among doctors. Conclusion: The critical need to raise awareness is shown by the fact that participants lacked basic and fundamental knowledge about drug food interactions. 

Keywords: Drug–food interaction, registered clinical practitioners, knowledge, residents, practices