Knowledge, attitude, and practices of rational use of medicines among the postgraduate residents of a tertiary care teaching hospital in North Karnataka: A facility-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The overuse, underuse, or misuse of medicines by the postgraduate residents results in wastage of scarce resources and widespread health hazards. “Rational use of medicines” (RUMs) would bring health care within the reach of the poor by reducing costs. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of RUMs among the postgraduate residents of a tertiary care teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 6 months (November 2019–April 2020). With the help of universal sampling, a self-developed, prevalidated, semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to 200 residents, to obtain information about the knowledge, attitude, and practice of RUM. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants after explaining to them about the study. RESULTS: About 92.5% of the participants were aware of the term “RUM” and 84% were aware of the term “Essential Medicines.” Sixty-one percent of the residents had good knowledge about RUM, and 51% had good practice of RUM. Logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant results that postgraduate students of the nonsurgical departments were more likely to have good knowledge and practice RUM than postgraduates of the surgical departments. Juniors (1st Year postgraduate residents) among the postgraduates also seemed to have an increased likelihood of practicing RUM. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge gap and lack of good practice of RUM observed among the postgraduates can be reduced by imparting education regarding RUM more efficiently in the medical colleges, to inculcate it into daily clinical practice.