Identifying the Effective Items on the Quality of Doctors' prescriptions by using the Delphi Technique

The medicine prescription is the main nucleus of communication among the physician, pharmacist and patient. Generally, a good prescription quality reflects good prescribing process and thus good quality healthcare. Prescribing without correct dose, frequency, route of administration, timing or duration of treatment leads to repetitive of therapeutic and is effective in poor quality prescription. The purpose of this study is to identify the main items that must be written in prescription and being observed by physicians, which are effective in the quality of the Doctors' prescription. This research is an applied study in which the items affecting the quality of doctors' prescriptions were identified by Delphi technique in three phases. The statistical populations of this study are twelve experts, managers, officials and experts of the Medical Council of the Mashhad Pharmaceutical Research Committee. Based on the results of the Delphi technique, out of a total number of 35 items, 22 main items that should be written and observed in prescription by physicians, which are effective on the quality of physician prescriptions, were identified. Considering that one of the main forehead challenges of prescribing and rational use of drugs, is increasing the awareness of physicians about the principles of proper and scientific prescription. It is hoped that paying attention to these principles will reduce the medication errors in writing and interpreting the prescriptions as well.