Knowledge and performance of phytopharmaceutical prescribers in a Cuban stomatology service

Abstract

Introduction: The evaluation of the knowledge and performance of phytopharmaceutical prescribers is necessary to identify the factors that affect this health service at the primary level of stomatological care.

Objective: Evaluate the knowledge and performance of phytopharmaceutical prescribers.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational research was conducted in the stomatology service of the ´´30 de Noviembre Polyclinic´´, in Santiago de Cuba province, between March 2020 and March 2021. The study sample was made up of 54 prescribers of phytopharmaceuticals. Through a simple random probabilistic sampling, a sample (n = 35) was selected. The variables occupational category of the prescriber, knowledge and performance of prescribers were measured. For the last two criteria, indicators and standards were established. The percentage was used as a summary measure mean.

Results: Regarding the occupational category, 57.1 % of the prescribers turned out to be first-degree specialists in Integral General Stomatology. When evaluating the knowledge of the prescribers, it was evident that in a single criterion the indicator exceeded the preset standard. In the performance evaluation it was found that no criterion reached the preset standard; the one with the highest incidence was that related to the therapeutic scheme.

Conclusions: Both knowledge and performance problems were evidenced in phytopharmaceutical prescribers, which points to the need to execute improvement strategies to contribute to their eradication and, therefore, improve the prescription of phytopharmaceuticals at the primary level of stomatological care.