Physician perception of patients’ requests for medications in Yemen

• Published in: Drugs & therapy perspectives : for rational drug selection and use 2019-04, Vol.35 (4), p.185-191
• Main Authors: Murshid, Mohsen Ali, Mohaidin, Zurina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Generic drugs; Medicine; Original Research Article; Perceptions; Pharmacotherapy; Pharmacy; Prescription drugs
• ISSN: 1172-0360; 1179-1977
• DOI: 10.1007/s40267-019-00607-x

Objective To examine the perceptions of physicians toward patients’ requests and expectations. Methods Data was collected through questionnaires to assess the perceptions of physicians in Yemen towards patients’ requests and expectations. The study was conducted in private and public hospitals in Sana’a, Yemen in 2017. SPSS was employed to provide a general statistical description of the constructs used in the research. Results The analysis of 393 completed questionnaires indicates the majority of the physicians agree that physicians should take into consideration patients’ requests for specific types, specific brands and less expensive drug regardless of the drug's efficacy before prescribing. Most of the respondents also agreed physicians should consider the priority of generic drugs over the brand, general public opinion about the benefit of brand-name drugs, generic drugs suggested by health policymakers and affordability and subsidizing of drugs before prescribing. Conclusion The patients’ requests and expectations remain a focal point in prescribing decision, making it a vital part of the decision making regarding the medical prescription. Therefore, for both physicians and policymakers, eliciting, evaluating, and understanding patients’ requests and expectations will be significant to prescribing practice consultations.