The use of virtual expert panels: formulary decision-making in the 21st century

Evidence-based medicine is the driving philosophy for pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee decision-making. When the available evidence is incomplete or unclear, the decision-making process becomes complex. Evaluation of the published literature to make sound decisions regarding appropriate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Formulary (Cleveland, Ohio) Ohio), 2005-03, Vol.40 (3), p.78
Main Authors: Hatton, Randy C, Gonzalez-Rothi, Ricardo J, Smith, Wendy D, Knudsen, Alan K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Committees
Decision making
Drug formularies
Drug policy
Drug stores
Electronic mail systems
Evaluation
Evidence-based medicine
Logistics
Management
Medical colleges
Paneling
Pharmacists
Professional relationships
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Summary:Evidence-based medicine is the driving philosophy for pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee decision-making. When the available evidence is incomplete or unclear, the decision-making process becomes complex. Evaluation of the published literature to make sound decisions regarding appropriate medication use can be a time-consuming process. The use of expert panels or subcommittees may facilitate decision-making; however, this process is often limited by the schedules and time constraints of busy clinicians. This article describes the creation and utilization of a "virtual" panel of experts utilizing anonymous electronic communications to assist the P&T committee at a university-based teaching hospital in making medication use policy. The article includes a detailed description of the P&T committee's experience in the selection of virtual panel members, methods used, advantages, potential pitfalls, and the outcomes of a virtual committee used to evaluate the appropriateness of the off-label use of nesiritide (Natrecor, Scios). [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1082-801X
1938-1166