The role of drug and therapeutics committees: Perceptions of chairs and information officers
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 1 June 2005
Abstract
Purpose
Improved quality and safety in drug use is a public health goal of major importance. In Sweden, local drug and therapeutics committees (DTCs) have adopted the task of working for safe and rational drug use. This study aimed to explore how chairs conceived the role of the DTCs, to explore how information officers conceived their own role, and to determine whether the respondents included patients in their answers.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using questionnaires and the answers were analysed according to phenomenographic method to identify conceptions. “Patient awareness” was studied by content analysis.
Findings
In both groups the prescribers were the focus of attention, and only a few respondents mentioned patients. A variation of four conceptions was found among chairs and three among information officers. It would be beneficial if DTCs used this knowledge in their development.
Originality/value
The importance of “patient awareness” within DTCs must be further explored.
Keywords
Citation
Björkman, I.K., Bernsten, C.B., Schmidt, I.K. and Holmström, I. (2005), "The role of drug and therapeutics committees: Perceptions of chairs and information officers", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 235-248. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860510602523
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited