A National Survey of Attitudes and Practices of Physicians Relating to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Pharmacokinetic Service: Strategies for Enhancing Patient’s Care in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate physicians’ perception of the concept of pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring (PK/TDM) and their use in clinical practice.

Methods

A novel, structured, self-administered questionnaire was designed, validated and distributed to physicians in 3 major cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam) during a 4-month period. Data were collected on demographics, knowledge and practice of PK/TDM. Attitudes toward integrating these skills into daily clinical practice were also investigated.

Results

A total of 724 physicians completed the survey and included in the study. European and North American physicians were found to be more exposed to PK/TDM than other physicians. About 70% of the participants stated that they have applied PK/TDM in their practice, at least, once and most of these were consultants. Only 4.3% of respondents had never checked organ function prior to prescribing narrow therapeutic index drugs. Although the majority (78.4%) perceived PK/TDM as very important to their practice, only 35.3% have tried to calculate drug PK parameters for their patients when necessary.

Conclusion

The result of this study showed that the knowledge of physicians about PK/TDM was inadequate. Moreover, the utilization of competent clinical pharmacists trained in PK/TDM was low. An interdisciplinary educational program between the physicians and pharmacist in PK/TDM will lead to a better health care outcome.

Keywords:

• physicians
• knowledge
• therapeutic drug monitoring
• pharmacokinetic parameters

Acknowledgment

The authors are very grateful to the Deanship of Scientific Research and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Disclosure

The authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest in this work.