The Development and Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Drug Information Service

Abstract

Evidence-based medicine (EBM ) is the science of evaluating medical research through identification, interpretation andevaluation of the best evidence available to practice in the medical area (Wiffen, 1997). Evidence-basedpharmacotherapy is an important area of EBM, in which pharmacists play the main role, providing drug informationservices and writing drug bulletins etc. (Li Wan Po 1996). The theory and application of EBM are being rapidlyimplemented in the health professional areas in western countries (APM,1997). However, it is anew concept in Taiwan. The aim of this thesis is to describe the development and evaluation of an evidence-based drug information service in theD&T Committee of Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, a mid-sized 600-bed teaching hospital in Taiwan.To introduce the EBM concept to Taiwan, several EBM lectures were given by an international expert and a series ofEBM articles were published in SKH’s bimonthly pharmacy bulletin. The impacts of those educational initiatives wereassessed by questionnaire survey. A request for a new drug to be introduced and submitted to the D & T Committee of SKH was chosen as a test case for the provision of an evidence-based drug information service to support the work ofthe D & T Committee. To popularize the practice of EBM, more educational interventions are required. International collaboration andexchange through lectures, conferences, or distance-learning courses may be useful to speed up the process.However, EBM is time-consuming and enough manpower and educational facilities are necessary. The fullsupport of the administration department of the hospital is essential. More information is required for testing thecost-effectiveness of EBM. Further studies are required.