Perceptions, knowledge, and perceived barriers of Yemeni pharmacists and pharmacy technicians towards evidence-based practice.

RATIONAL, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception towards evidence-based practice (EBP) and identify the perceived barriers to practicing EBP among Yemeni pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey study was carried out among 153 Yemeni pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who are working in hospitals or community pharmacies. This study took place between the 15th of August and the 8th of November 2017 using a self-administered validated questionnaire. The study was approved by the ethics committee/scientific research center of Yemen University, Yemen (Reference number: ERC/2017/103).

RESULTS

Completed questionnaires were received from 153 (46.6% response rate). Most of the respondents showed a positive attitude towards EBP; however, their understanding of the basic terms used in EBP was poor (34.6%). The types of source that the respondent used in high percentage to make their decisions were own judgement and consulting the colleagues that can no longer be accurate and evidence based. The barriers to practicing EBP identified by most respondents were the limited access to EBP sources and lack of personal time.

CONCLUSION

These results reveal strong support for EBP among pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Yemen but only a minority indicated that they understood the technical terms of EBP. Training and continuing education programs on EBP and guidelines for pharmacists are strongly needed. These findings may help in planning the use and the application of EBP process in pharmacy practice.