title: To design and implement a prescription writing teaching module for second professional medical students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is ample evidence to prove that medical graduates are not prescribing rationally and this can be improved by proper training.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To design and implement a prescription writing teaching module for second professional medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A module of 3 h duration consisting of didactic lecture, interactive audiovisual small group session, and evaluation method was framed for every disease and implemented. Completeness of the prescriptions was evaluated on a scale of 1-4. Appropriateness of the prescription, knowledge about the rationale behind the drugs used and adverse events related to the drugs used was judged in three categories, that is, appropriate and complete; appropriate but insufficient; and inappropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand six hundred and seven response sheets to 24 health problems were collected. Completeness score of 18% was 2, 59% was 3% and 24% was 4.41% prescriptions were appropriate and complete, 58% appropriate but insufficient and 1% inappropriate. The rationale behind the drugs used was appropriate and complete 24%, appropriate but insufficient 68%, inappropriate 8%. Documentation of adverse events was appropriate and complete 23%, appropriate but insufficient 49%, inappropriate 28%. All facilitators were satisfied with the duration, contents and conduct of the sessions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A module is an effective tool for teaching prescription writing to undergraduate students; modifications required in contents and strategy to emphasize the need of complete documentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Parveen Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Dinesh Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kansal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Aradhna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
keywords: Prescription writing; teaching module; undergraduate students