title: Drug information--the systematic approach: continuing education article.
abstract: Proper drug information (DI) skills are essential for being a competent pharmacy practitioner. To effectively manage DI queries and clinical dilemmas, the practitioner should follow a systematic approach that includes identifying the requester, determining the "true" DI need and obtaining background information, categorizing the question, performing the search and analyzing the information, disseminating the information, and following up when appropriate. The practitioner must be mindful to couple the published literature with clinical experience, knowledge, and logic in order to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy Practice, Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. joseph.nathan@liu.edu
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nathan
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000592:standards*; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010604:Pharmacy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*