The study relies on self-rated confidence rather than objective demonstration of prescribing knowledge and skills.
Previous studies have shown that the prescribing knowledge of final year medical students in Nigeria did not correlate with their prescribing skills [ 5].
During the training, interns picked up some prescribing knowledge and skills, through informal CPT teaching by the medical officers, residents and consultants, which might have improved their experience and confidence to prescribe appropriately.
Gender and geographic location (urban, suburban or rural) of the GP was not associated with the treatments prescribed or knowledge of the guidelines (p > 0.05).
Also, it could not be distinguished whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents were being prescribed with knowledge of a history of peptic ulcer or if gastroprotective agents (i.e. H2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors) were being prescribed as a result of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory induced gastric toxicity.
Many new prescribers report a lack of confidence in their prescribing knowledge [ 4, 11, 22] and seek reassurance from doctors before prescribing for a patient [ 4, 23].
Medical students and interns should be periodically assessed on prescribing knowledge and skills during their training as a means of minimizing prescribing errors.
The application of specialist prescribing knowledge was said to enhance these processes.
Moreover a recent study of nurse prescribers' conducted in the West Midlands reported that 26% of nurses had not prescribed since qualifying [ 29] suggesting a possible lack of confidence in their prescribing knowledge.
This study was a valuable initial exploration of the potential of a mentoring scheme to help NMP students reflect on the integration of theoretical prescribing knowledge in to their clinical practice.
In contrast, pharmacists were less positive overall about whether training had provided them with relevant knowledge and skills – with 58% (205/354) agreeing/strongly agreeing that they had acquired the appropriate prescribing knowledge and 62% (217/353) agreeing/strongly agreeing that they had gained the skills they needed to prescribe.
