title: A prospective survey of knowledge and perceptions of ondansetron: what do health care workers know about this drug?
abstract: Ondansetron is a relatively new drug whose optimal use is dependent on an understanding of its characteristics and role relative to traditional antiemetics. To assess perceptions and knowledge regarding ondansetron, we conducted a prospective written survey involving 56 physicians, pharmacists, and nurses at this hospital. Pharmacists claimed to be exposed to ondansetron promotion by industry more than the other groups. Apart from industry, pharmacists were considered to be the most common source of drug information. Nurses were less aware of dosage form equivalence than the other groups (p = 0.042). Physicians were more aware of twice daily dosing efficacy than other respondents (p = 0.0006). Nurses were able to better identify the relative duration of antiemetic benefit over metoclopramide (p = 0.008); however, most participants tended to be misinformed on this issue. Pharmacists were more familiar with the side effect profile while physicians were more cognizant of oral (p = 0.001) and parenteral (p = 0.018) drug costs than other groups. Overall, survey scores for physicians and pharmacists were higher than those for nurses (p = 0.007). There is an apparent difference across health care profession disciplines in the perceptions and knowledge about ondansetron. Specific misconceptions could lead to suboptimal drug use and warrant efforts to ensure a good understanding of the attributes and relative role of this agent.
authors.affiliation: B.C. Children's and Women's Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Nimmo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jewesson
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D001955:British Columbia; D003625:Data Collection; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires