Abstract

STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, PERCEPTION OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, PHARMACY AND NURSING STUDENTS REGARDING PHARMACEUTICAL-INITIATED CLINICAL RESEARCH IN SOUTH INDIA

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa*, Sherin Philip, Madhvi G. and Mohamed Fawas K.

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Abstract

Background: Clinical research involves investigation or experiments to get new data or revision of current knowledge, aimed at evaluating the medical, surgical, or behavioural intervention. Many studies have shown that students have reasonable knowledge but their participation in clinical research is less. Hence, it’s imperative to conduct studies on knowledge, attitude, and perception among health science students towards conducting clinical research. Objective: To study the knowledge, attitude, perception of medical, dental, pharmacy and nursing students regarding pharmaceutical initiated clinical research. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted for the period of 6 months among final year (N = 150) medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing of selected colleges in Tumkur district, Karnataka. The study included three phases, in Phase 1 (pre-test) pretested questionnaires was used to collect demographic details, knowledge, attitude, perception regarding pharmaceutical-initiated clinical research. In Phase 2 (awareness), patients were provided awareness on clinical research via online webinars. In phase 3 (post-test), post-test questionnaires to assess the impact of awareness. Results: Of 150 participants, 42% medical, 14% dental, 27% pharmacy, and 17% were nursing students. Female comprised of 61% and were aged 21-26 years. When comparing the mean correct response of knowledge, attitude on clinical research by health science students, pharmacy students have given more mean correct response on knowledge 93.5%, attitude 93.3% and 88.5% dental students gave correct response on questions related to the perception towards conducting clinical research. Lack of skills/training, funding, facilities, and mentors were the major barriers in conducting clinical research. Conclusion: Health science students from medical, dental, pharmacy and nursing stream had adequate knowledge on research areas related to the study designs, ethical aspects, and stages of conducting trials. Although the students have a positive attitude and perception towards clinical research but shows low interest to conduct research in the future. However, knowledge, attitude, and perception about clinical research further improved post awareness session in the students. The impact of barriers on clinical research demonstrates that there is a necessity for greater availability of information to solve the problems and alter strategies for research.

Keywords: Attitude, Awareness, Barriers, Research, Knowledge, Perception.