Pharmacist-led, video-stimulated feedback to reduce prescribing errors in doctors-in-training: a mixed methods evaluation

Abstract

AIM: To develop and evaluate a feasible, authentic pharmacist-led prescribing feedback intervention for doctors-in-training, to reduce prescribing errors.

METHODS: This was a mixed methods study. Sixteen postgraduate doctors-in training, rotating though the surgical assessment unit of one UK hospital, were filmed taking a medication history with a patient and prescribing medications. Each doctor reviewed their video footage and made plans to improve their prescribing, supported by feedback from a pharmacist. Quantitative data in the form of prescribing error prevalence data were collected on one day per week before, during and after the intervention period (between November 2015 and March 2017). Qualitative data in the form of individual semi-structured interviews were collected with a subset of participants, to evaluate their experience. Quantitative data were analysed using a statistical process chart and qualitative data were transcribed and analysed thematically.