E-drug: Essential diagnostics programme (cont'd)
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Dear E druggers,
Dr Van der Heijden has raised an important topic. He is quite correct in
saying that rational drug use is irrelevant if the diagnosis is incorrect.
While much effort has been made by WHO, INRUD, MSH etc to
promote prescriber training, yet there seems to be little effort to
promote clinical skills training. There is a need to examine the actual
way that a diagnosis in made. Constraints of time involve taking short
cuts, some of which may be acceptable, others are not. How many
prescribers have access to and can use the basis equipment like
auroscopes and ophthalmoscopes? How many can measure the blood
pressure correctly? Are prescribers adequately trained to take an
accurate history? Do they always carry out the appropriate
examinations necessary to reach the right diagnosis?
Perhaps those involved in RDU training will examine their programmes
and ensure that more time is devoted to a consideration of these
aspects.
Steve Lonsdale
General Practitioner, UK
Previously
Prescriber Training Officer Malawi Essential Drugs Programme
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