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. 2019 Dec;106(6):1236-1245.
doi: 10.1002/cpt.1549. Epub 2019 Jul 29.

Digital Learning to Improve Safe and Effective Prescribing: A Systematic Review

Michiel J Bakkum  1   2 , Jelle Tichelaar  1   2   3 , Anne Wellink  1   2 , Milan C Richir  1   2 , Michiel A van Agtmael  1   2   3
Affiliations

Digital Learning to Improve Safe and Effective Prescribing: A Systematic Review

Michiel J Bakkum et al. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

With the aim to modernize and harmonize prescribing education, the European Association for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (EACPT) Working Group on education recommended the extensive use and distribution of digital learning resources (DLRs). However, it is unclear whether the complex task of prescribing medicine can be taught digitally. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the effect of diverse DLRs in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics education. Databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, and CENTRAL were systematically searched. Sixty-five articles were included in the analyses. Direct effects on patients were studied, but not detected, in six articles. Skills and behavior were studied in 11 articles, 8 of which reported positive effects. Knowledge acquisition was investigated in 19 articles, all with positive effects. Qualitative analyses yielded 10 recommendations for the future development of DLRs. Digital learning is effective in teaching knowledge, attitudes, and skills associated with safe and effective prescribing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no competing interests for this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram for study selection. Search strategies used for both databases are described in Table S2. CINAHL, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; ERIC, Education Resources Information Centre.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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