Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitude towards Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) Practices among physicians in Arar, Saudi Arabia
Methods: the study was conducted through a cross sectional descriptive electronic survey. The questionnaire collected the demographic data of the participants. Also true and false questions were designed to evaluate the awareness of the participants about TDM drugs, indications of TDM, and main obstacles against proper application of TDM in Arar. Also participants were asked about their main source of knowledge about TDM.
Results: 254 percipients had responded to the questionnaire. Digitalis, theophylline, carbamazepine, vancomycin, and imipramine were the most commonly known by doctors as TDM drugs. Regarding the awareness of the participants about the indication of TDM, suspected therapeutic failure was the commonest indication known by the physicians enrolled in the study 212(83.5%), followed by cases with clinical or laboratory manifestations suspecting hepatic or renal affection under the effect of the prescribed medications 171(67.3%). There was a significantly higher awareness about the TDM drugs and indications of TDM among the junior staff members as well as staff with experience less than 10 years. Lacking of the proper laboratory reports and guiding recommendation was the most important point limiting their requesting for TDM. [184 (72.4%)]. While the postgraduate studies were the commonest source of knowledge about TDM [154(62.9%)].
Conclusion: Awareness about TDM among Doctors in Arar is fairly good. However, more work is required to improve the awareness and maximize the clinical benefit of TDM laboratory reports data.