Introduction to Drug Information (Week 1)

Question 1

Biomedical Informatics

Answer 1

the interdisciplinary field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, and decision making, driven by efforts to improve human health

Question 2

Drug Information

Answer 2

facts or advice on drugs regarding a specific patient or group of patients based on current and accurate evidence.

Question 3

Pharmacy Informatics

Answer 3

Using technology and automation to ensure safe medication use. Manage and integrate medication data across systems

Question 4

Drug Information and Pharmacy Informatics may have different meaning depending on the context used

Answer 4

• Specialist/practitioner/pharmacist/provider
• Center/service/practice
• Functions/skills

Question 5

When and where the did the first DI center open?

Answer 5

1962 at the University of Kentucky

Question 6

MEDLARS stands for _. It was developed by _ in the early _

Answer 6

Medical Literature Retrieval and Analysis System. National Library of Medicine. 1960s

Question 7

What was MEDLINE? When was it developed?

Answer 7

• ability to transmit searches over telephone lines (1st online searching system - limited to libraries)
• 1971

Question 8

DI Centers Activities/Services Provided

Answer 8

• Provide drug information to healthcare professionals and consumers
• Prepare drug monographs and class reviews
• Assist with formulary management
• Develop for medication use policies
• Write and publish newsletters to keep professional staff up-to-date
• Provide educational materials for patients, students and practitioners
• Participate in adverse drug reaction surveillance and reporting program
• Coordinate and/or conduct medication use evaluations
• Publish articles that promote rational drug therapy
• Provide a training site for students and residents
• NO DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS!

Question 9

Factors that Influenced Pharmacists as Drug Information Providers

Answer 9

• Adverse drug event prevention and reporting
• Growth of information technology = Pharmacy informatics: computerized provider order entry (CPOE), electronic health record (EHR), barcoding, electronic order sets with clinical decision support, etc., Drug information resources and apps, Drug information availability
• Focus on evidence-based medicine and drug policy development
• Evaluation of outcomes
• Sophistication of medication therapy
• Rise in self-care movement
• Growing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Question 10

Opportunities in Practice

Answer 10

• academia
• institutional health systems
• managed care pharmacy
• poison control
• pharmaceutical industry
• scientific writing and medical communication