Health care professionals knowledge and perception of pharmacovigilance in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Amman, Jordan

Abstract

Rationale, aims, and objectives: Underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by health care professionals is a common inherent health problem encountered in many countries. This could be explained by the lack of awareness and knowledge about the guidelines to follow to identify and report ADRs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and perceptions among medical doctors and nurses regarding their role as ADRs reporters in Jordan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2015 to January 2016 at the Jordan University Hospital in Amman. During the study period, a total of 670 validated questionnaires were distributed to medical doctors and nurses in different departments.

Results: Most of health care professionals were not aware of the concept of pharmacovigilance. Medical doctors showed a better overall knowledge compared with nurses (P < .05). Interestingly, despite the low level of awareness, the majority of respondents believed in the necessity of reporting ADRs.

Conclusion: Although there is a low level of awareness among health care professionals regarding pharmacovigilance, there is strong agreement among them about the necessity of reporting ADRs and attending educational sessions about pharmacovigilance which will help them to improve the quality of services they provide.

Keywords: Health care professionals; Jordan; Knowledge; Perception; Pharmacovigilance.