An Evaluation of Prescription Writing and Rational Prescribing in Third-Year Medical Students, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to study prescription writing and rational prescribing by third-year medical students, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. This study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study. Five case scenarios were presented to 174 third-year medical students who had to prescribe a rational drug for each patient. Prescription forms were marked, then the knowledge scores were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistical method. Most subjects’ knowledge scores could be classified at the level of ‘fair’. Only one quarter of all subjects acquired 'high knowledge' scores. The issue is to consider how to enhance their competencies in prescription writing and rational prescribing. Further detailed research study is recommended in assessment in the clinical years of students' competency in prescribing for each group of drugs.