Demonstrating prescribing competence: a successful pilot of a prescription competency curriculum for family medicine residents.
BACKGROUND
Poor medication prescribing skills among residents have been widely reported.


METHODS
We implemented a three-stage prescribing curriculum with eight interns in an urban family medicine residency. Clinical pharmacy faculty delivered two lectures, attended hospital rounds, and coprecepted in clinic. Evaluations were done by a written exam and clinical assessment.


RESULTS
All eight interns made at least one prescribing error on the exam. One error was considered potentially fatal. All interns passed on the second attempt and gained prescribing privileges after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Our prescribing curriculum was practical and feasible. Further studies will determine whether the intervention improved prescribing habits and reduced clinical errors.
Ginzburg
Regina
R
St John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA. ginzburr@stjohns.edu
Cohrssen
Andreas
A
D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development