Perceptions among Alberta healthcare professionals of prescription drug misuse : Perceptions des professionnels de la santé de l'Alberta quant au mésusage de médicaments sur ordonnance : rapport final

A clearer understanding of healthcare professionals’ perceptions of PDM can help to inform the development of educational and prevention and intervention initiatives and to improve the capacity to address this public health and safety crisis. [...] The authors conducted a qualitative study that explored the perspectives of physicians and nurse practitioners regarding the extent and clinical presentations of misuse and abuse of psychoactive medications in patients over the age of 60. [...] Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of the PDM problem among a sample of healthcare professionals from Alberta, including physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, pharmacists and dentists. [...] An expert panel was formed, consisting of representatives from CCSA, CoOPDM, NACPDM, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), the Alberta College of Family Physicians, the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA+C), the Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP), and the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). [...] To increase the potential that all participants would use an identical conceptualization of PDM when answering the questions, the following definition was provided at the beginning of the survey: The use of a medication for a medical purpose other than as directed or indicated, whether intentionally or unintentionally and whether harm results or not.