Pharmacists' Views on Roles and Knowledge of Thai Traditional Medicines in the National List of Essential Medicines among Medical Personnel Working in Sub-District Health Promoting Hospitals
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Abstract
Objective: To study the opinions of pharmacists on the roles of medical personnel working in sub-district health promoting hospitals (SDHPHs) in promoting the use of Thai traditional medicine, and necessary knowledge on this group of medicines in the National List of Essential Medicines among such personnel. Methods: This qualitative study employed face-to-face interviews with 15 pharmacists at the professional level or above in the 9th Health Region with experiences in primary care pharmacy, formulating drug list for SDHPHs and being responsible for quality improvement and standards of services in SDHPHs. Data collection was conducted during August - September 2021. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis. Results: There were three roles of medical personnel in SDHPHs in promoting the use of Thai traditional medicines including 1) prescribing Thai traditional medicines to patients 2) providing knowledge on Thai traditional medicines to public and 3) providing knowledge on Thai traditional medicines to groceries in the community. Necessary knowledge on Thai traditional medicines in the National list of Essential Medicines were 1) drug names and origin of drug names 2) indications and related terms in Thai traditional medicines 3) ingredients of drugs 4) dosage and major uses 5) contraindications in special patient groups 6) precautions 7) adverse reactions 8) modern medicines with similar indications and 9) general knowledge on Thai traditional medicines. Conclusion: From the perspective of key informants who were pharmacists, medical personnel working in SDHPHs play a role in promoting the use of Thai traditional medicine by prescribing them appropriately to patients and empowering communities in using them appropriately. The personnel must possess knowledge on Thai traditional medicines at least those classified as herbal products for general sale.
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ผลการวิจัยและความคิดเห็นที่ปรากฏในบทความถือเป็นความคิดเห็นและอยู่ในความรับผิดชอบของผู้นิพนธ์ มิใช่ความเห็นหรือความรับผิดชอบของกองบรรณาธิการ หรือคณะเภสัชศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ ทั้งนี้ไม่รวมความผิดพลาดอันเกิดจากการพิมพ์ บทความที่ได้รับการเผยแพร่โดยวารสารเภสัชกรรมไทยถือเป็นสิทธิ์ของวารสารฯ
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