Drug Information and Intermediaries Quiz

Drug Information

• Background questions should be a dialogue.
• The order and wording depend on the conversation flow.
• Intermediaries (e.g., medical students, nurses, pharmacists) present a problem for obtaining full background information since they are not the end-user.
• Sometimes intermediaries lack sufficient information to answer the background questions.
• When dealing with intermediaries, decide to either work with them or bypass them.
  • Working with intermediaries involves educating them about needed information
  • Bypassing intermediaries means directly interacting with the end user.

Categorizing Questions

• The original question asked by the requester may not be the same as the ultimate subject of the research by the responder.
• The ultimate question reflects what the requester truly wants to know.
• For example, a patient asking about the effectiveness of β-blockers for hypertension might actually want to know about possible side effects like sexual dysfunction.
  • The ultimate question in this case would be: Do β-blockers cause sexual dysfunction?
• The final response may differ from the initial question, yet satisfy the requester.
• Determining the ultimate question is crucial for using a modified systematic approach effectively and obtaining accurate results, especially for drug information requests.
• Adequate background information is essential to properly determine the ultimate question.
• If background information is lacking, pinpointing the ultimate question may be impossible.
• Confirming the ultimate question is critical before categorizing and developing search strategies.
• Once the ultimate question is clear, the question is categorized.
• Categorization is helpful for developing a search strategy and identifying relevant resources.
• Categorizing a question as "adverse effect" helps select appropriate resources.

Search Strategy

• Categorizing the ultimate question guides resource selection.
• Selected resources are prioritized based on their likelihood of containing the desired information.
• Priority should be based on probable usefulness, not ease of access.

Data Evaluation, Analysis, and Synthesis

• Retrieved information must be critically evaluated.
• Skills in evaluating literature, clinical application, and statistical analysis are required.
• Applying these skills distinguishes professionals from technicians and using a modified systematic approach.
• Analysis and synthesis must consider existing background information to ensure a relevant and useful response for the requester.

Formulation and Providing Responses

• If one course of action is better than another, this must be clearly communicated to the requester.
• Responses need to be given and should be appropriate for the context (e.g., written vs. verbal).
• If the results show conflicting information, use a logical argument.

Format for Logical Argument

• Step 1: present opposing viewpoints.
• Step 2: assess the literature and declare the superior viewpoint.
• Step 3: point out and address the weaknesses of the opposing viewpoint.
• Step 4: reiterate and support the strengths of the superior viewpoint.
• Step 5: restate your final conclusion to support the superior viewpoint.

Follow-Up, Follow-Through, and Documentation

• Follow-up: verifying the accuracy and completeness of the response after communication.
  • Important for professional credibility.
  • Includes ensuring information receipt, documenting questions, and using questions as future references.
  • Done through emails, phone calls, or written formats.
  • Patient-specific requests, particularly judgment-based ones (e.g. therapeutic assistance or dosage recommendations) often require follow-ups, especially if decisions were based on weak evidence.
• Follow-through: revisiting the request considering new data or changed circumstances.
  • This includes new publications or a patient's condition worsening (e.g., renal/hepatic failure).
  • Considered good practice for professional responses.
• Documentation: important to decrease liability, improve services, and support continuous service improvement.
  • Include the ultimate question, relevant materials, the response, and follow-up/follow-through steps.
  • Can be from simple to comprehensive.