Physician knowledge and perception of the need for drug disposal guidelines

Abstract

Improper medical disposal is a threat to both the environment and individual communities. The purpose of this study was to determine physician education, knowledge, and perceived need for drug disposal guidelines. An anonymous electronic 14-item survey eliciting year and state of graduation, current specialty, training, and knowledge (if any) about pharmaceutical disposal guidelines, was distributed to 369 faculty, resident trainees, and medical students at UMDNJ-SOM. More than half of respondents recognized environmental implications of improper disposal practices and indicated that it influences their prescribing practices. However, almost two-thirds of respondents indicated no knowledge of any documented guidelines and three quarters of respondents indicated they had no training about disposal practices. Close to two-third of physicians have had patients inquire about disposal options and indicated interest in establishing a medication disposal program. Twenty-one percent of respondents who graduated after the year 2000 indicated some level of medical school training regarding disposal guidelines versus only four percent of respondents who graduated before 1999. On the basis of our data, we recommend that learning opportunities for proper disposal programs and guidelines be offered throughout the medical education continuum, especially in continuing medical education programs, because age was a significant variable in knowledge and awareness of disposal practices.