Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this review, the current situation of rational drug use trainings using problem based learning (PBL) strategies in our country and in the world was reported . Rational drug use is defined as individual oriented and cost effective use of medications with suitable dosage and duration. Irrational drug use is still a serious global problem which has detrimental health and socio-economic effects. Most prominent reason for irrational drug use is lack or shortage of physician competency due to inadequate training. The World Health Organization recommends medical schools to include rational drug use training in their curricula preferably using PBL strategies. Many schools of medicine both all around the world and in our country have adapted their programs regarding this recommendation. The benefits of PBL modules on rational drug use, including positive student feed-back results, have been shown and reported in the literature so far. For example, in a study, almost all participating students in the training module declared that they were able to select the most appropriate drug for individual cases after training, and this would also improve their communication with the patients. Similar results in the literature all suggest that problem based rational drug use training should be included in medical education programs.

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