1. Introduction to Drug Information Services Ch.#1

2. An introductory course to teach the students basic principles of DI retrieval. Designed to help students : -Understand types of DI available -What sources of information are appropriate to use in a variety of situations

3. Drug Information could be: - patient specific - relative to a patient population with common characteristics DI could be provided as: -printed info. in a reference -verbalized by an individual that pertains to meds.

4. DI specialist/ practitioner/pharmacist/ provider ---> specific individual DI center/ service/ practice ------>place DI functions/ skills----> activities & abilities of individuals

5. Drug Informatics: The use of technology as an integral tool in: -organizing -analyzing &-managing information on medication use in patients.

6. Medication Information Services: 1. Support of clinical services 2. Answering questions 3. P&T committee activity 4. Publications : ( Newsletters, websites,…) 5. Education 6. Medication usage evaluation 7. Investigational med. Control 8. Coordination of reporting programs: ( ADRs,..) 9. Providing poison information

7. Development of DI centers + DI specialists led to the beginning of clinical pharmacy concept. Pharmacists could offer their expertise as consultants on med. therapy using clinical drug literature as a tool. Funding of DI centers is mainly by: hospitals, med. centers, or colleges & univers.

8. Few studies showed that maintaining DIC or related activity in academic institutions or hospitals is cost saving Clinical pharmacy is not only limited to hospital settings but to any other setting where pharmaceutical services are provided with the goal of improving pt. outcomes using medical literature to support their choices.

9. The provision of DI may be: - on one-to-one basis -more structured approach ( presentation) -may participate in precepting students in pt. care or pharmaceutical environment. In any of these roles, pharmacist must use appropriate: 1-Information retrieval &2-Evaluation skills to ensure that most current & accurate info. is provided regarding med. Use decisions.

10. Medication Information Skills: 1.Assess available info. & gather situational data needed to characterize question. 2.Formulate appropriate question(s). 3.Use a systematic approach to find needed info. 4.Evaluate info. critically for validity & applicability. 5.Develop, organize, & summarize response for question. 6.Communicate clearly when speaking or writing considering the audience level. 7.Anticipate other info. Needed.

11. Factors Influencing the Evolution of the Pharmacist’s Role as a DI Provider: 1) The prevention of adverse drug events. 2)Growth of information technology (PDA, internet, intranet)

12. 3)Changes in the health care environment with focus on Evidence-Based Medicine, Drug Policy Development, and the Evaluation of Outcomes. 4)The sophistication of medication therapy. 5)A more knowledgeable patient (the self-care movement).

13. Educating for the Need: -Many areas identified as needed by DI pharmacists are now incorporated in the pharmacy curricula & taught to all pharmacists. -Examples: -Communication skills -Specialty Practice Residencies in DI

14. Opportunities in Specialty Practice: The role of the DI specialist has changed from individual who specially answers questions to one who focuses on medication policies & provides info. on complex medication information questions.

15. A specialist in DI can be involved in multiple activities, i.e.: 1)Contract DI Center ( Fee-for- service ) 2)Medical Informatics 3)Health Maintenance Organizations 4)Pharmacy Benefit ManagementOrganizations 5)Managed Care Organizations

16. 6)Scientific Writing & Medical Communication 7)Poison Control Centers 8)Pharmaceutical Industry 9)Academia