Assessing Pharmacists Knowledge and Attitude Toward the Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Qatar

Abstract

Pharmacists were found to play a key role in anticoagulation care. In order to make an appropriate selection and counselling regarding direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), pharmacists should be knowledgeable and abiding by evidence-based practice. We aim in this study to assess the knowledge and practices of practicing hospital and community pharmacists in Qatar regarding DOACs and their reflection on the dispensing and patient education. A prospective cross-sectional survey was developed. It included questions on demographic and professional characteristics. Additionally, it evaluated the awareness regarding safety, efficacy, and dispensing of DOACs. Lastly, a separate question was used to address the participant’s satisfaction with their knowledge. A total response were received from 211 pharmacists participating in the survey. Overall awareness score was moderate (41.6% ± 26%). These scores were in alignment with participants’ self-satisfaction with knowledge on DOACs (72% of participants were not satisfied). Being a clinical pharmacist, of male gender, and with a board certification were factors associated with increased awareness on DOACs. Results from this survey point to the importance of having more educational activities in order to improve pharmacist’s knowledge of DOACs.