Evaluation of Knowledge , Attitude and Practice of Rational use of Medicine Among Interns and Resident Doctors in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Objective: To evaluate and compare knowledge, attitude and practice of rational use of medicine among post graduate students and interns in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and Method: This was a questionnaire based study which included 100 post graduate students from different specialties and 100 intern students of a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Results: Ninety six percent respondents were aware about the term RUM and 95% practiced it, only 10.5% had NLEMI available at their work place and 48% clinicians were able to correctly name the parts of the prescription slip. 87.5% respondents were aware about EM and 85% prescribed them. Percentage of respondents prescribing EM and practicing RUM was significantly higher in male than in females. (p<0.0001). Though 32% respondents practiced ‘p’ drug concept only 15.5% were aware about STEP criteria. Conclusion: In the present study majority of respondents were aware about most of the issues concerned with RUM addressed in the questionnaire which seems to be a positive finding. But being future prescribers all of them need to have correct knowledge about all the issues addressed.