Introduction to Drug Information Resources

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the Health on the Net (HON) code?

To define standards for evaluating online information quality. (correct)

To create a comprehensive list of health websites.

To evaluate every website automatically.

To promote specific healthcare products.

Which of the following indicates that a website may provide quality information?

It links to other nonaffiliated, reliable sites. (correct)

It prominently displays a quality seal without evaluation.

The author is anonymous and uncontactable.

It has a wide range of advertisements.

What does the lack of a quality seal on a website imply?

The information may still be of acceptable quality. (correct)

The website must be intentionally misleading.

The website has undergone evaluation by a recognized organization.

The website provides no valuable information.

When assessing the credibility of a source, what factor is NOT important?

The presentation of the website’s background color and design. Signup and view all the answers

Which criterion is essential for determining the quality of online material?

The level of detail in the information provided. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step a pharmacist should take when looking for drug information?

Consult tertiary resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes tertiary resources?

They provide a summarized overview of a topic. Signup and view all the answers

What type of resource would you use to gain additional insights after evaluating tertiary resources?

Secondary resources Signup and view all the answers

Which type of biomedical resource includes journals?

Primary resources Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use multiple resources when gathering drug information?

To validate the accuracy of information Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is essential for information to be considered relevant?

It must pertain directly to the given situation Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of relying solely on tertiary resources?

They may not include the most recent studies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT an example of tertiary resources?

Original research articles Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of primary resources?

They include clinical research studies and reports. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a benefit of tertiary resources?

They are easy to use and understand. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of secondary resources?

They contain only abstracts. Signup and view all the answers

How do Boolean operators enhance the search process in secondary resources?

They help combine or exclude keywords for focused results. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would most likely be considered a primary resource?

A cohort study on disease outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation is associated with tertiary resources?

They lack detailed information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of secondary resources?

To allow for the retrieval of primary literature. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about secondary resources is accurate?

They primarily consist of abstracts. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of relying on a single secondary resource for literature searches?

It may hinder the literature search due to limited sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes primary resources from tertiary resources?

Primary resources include original research data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using the operator AND in searches?

It connects terms to return citations containing both concepts. Signup and view all the answers

Which operator would you use to broaden your search results?

OR Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of using primary resources?

They can be expensive and hard to access. Signup and view all the answers

What does the operator NOT do in a search query?

Eliminates articles containing the specified term. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the nature of primary resources?

They include original reports of scientific results. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of alternative resources like general internet searches?

Searching for uncommon diseases and unfamiliar terms. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do practitioners face with primary literature?

Rapidly increasing numbers of specialty journals. Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of primary resources in medical research?

They provide detailed information from original articles. Signup and view all the answers

Why might using the NOT operator in a search be risky?

It can eliminate relevant articles that contain the excluded term. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the primary content of secondary resources?

Summaries or analyses of original research. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course Title: Introduction to Drug Information
Course Code: PHAR200
Institution: Lebanese International University
School: School of Pharmacy
Department: Pharmacy Practice
Semester: Spring 2023-2024

Course Chapters

Medical Terminologies
Drug Evaluation Monograph
Pharmacist Patient Care Process (PPCP)
Drug Information Resources
Drug Consult
Referencing
Drug Information Center (DIC)
Introduction to Biostatistics
Evaluation of Literature
Evaluation of Journal Club
Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines

Drug Information Resources

Pharmacists should aim for current, critically examined, and relevant information when collecting drug information
Use the most recent data and up-to-date resources
Critically evaluate multiple resources for information
Information should be directly relevant to the specific circumstances and patient

Types of Biomedical Resources

Primary: Journals (e.g., controlled trials, cohort studies, case series)
Secondary: Search engines and abstracting services (e.g., PubMed)
Tertiary: Books, textbooks, compendia, handbooks, electronically searchable online applications (e.g., Micromedex, Lexicomp)

Tertiary Resources

Summarized information and overview of a specific topic
Easy to use and understand
Available in hard copy and online
Excellent first-line resources for drug information questions

Tertiary Resources: Limitations

Information may not be frequently updated
Searches can be more challenging in printed materials compared to electronic formats
Generally provides overview information
May contain author bias or misinterpretation of resources

Secondary Resources

Abstracting is used to describe information from articles or resources
Tools for quick search of information
Updated more frequently than tertiary literature
Electronic searches use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine search terms for more focused results
Databases usually recognize AND as the primary operator

Secondary Resources: Boolean Operators

AND: Combines two terms, returning only citations containing both concepts
OR: Results in an equal or greater number of returns, including citations that contain either term
NOT: Decreases the number of returns by eliminating citations containing a particular term

Primary Resources

Foundation for secondary and tertiary literature
First report of a scientific result
Published by researchers
Typically published in medical journals
Provide detailed information for in-depth studies
Require strong literature evaluation skills

Primary Resources: Accessibility

Practitioners can access full-text articles in various ways
Many electronic databases provide links directly to articles

Primary Resources: Limitations

Access can be challenging due to subscription fees
Misleading conclusions may result by evaluating only certain trials without considering other research
Strong medical literature evaluation skills are essential to properly use the primary resource information.

Alternative Resources: Internet Searches

Internet searches can be a starting point for information on uncommon diseases, unfamiliar drugs, drugs in development and combination products
Internet searches can be helpful for discovering information in recent news or manufacturer product claims, when information about the given topic isn't available elsewhere
Practitioners should use criteria to determine the quality of online materials

Alternative Resources: Internet Searches: Quality Assessment

Evaluate the source's credibility and potential vested interests in promoting a specific treatment or product
Check for accuracy and currency
Look for links to other reputable sites
Determine if the information is properly detailed and referenced
Identify and contact the author for questions or comments as appropriate, if possible.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers essential drug information resources essential for pharmacists, focusing on the evaluation and utilization of various biomedical resources. You will learn about the importance of current and critically examined information in patient care. Test your knowledge on the Pharmacist Patient Care Process and drug evaluation methods.