Prescribing Medication

Abstract

Specifying the therapeutic objective allows physicians to direct prescribing to a clear goal with expected outcomes. For a non–native English-speaking doctor, it is a challenge and a task of utmost medical responsibility to inform clearly about the effect, secondary effects, treatment duration, and dosage to patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) guide suggests that physicians develop a formulary of personal drugs (P-drugs). P-drugs are effective, inexpensive, well-tolerated drugs that physicians regularly prescribe to treat common problems. Every foreign cardiology resident should have a formulary of P-drugs. The National Coordinating Council on Medication Error Reporting and Prevention recommends the elimination of most abbreviations for medication instructions, such as QD (daily), QID (four times daily), and QOD (every other day), and drug names such as MSO₄ (morphine sulfate). To be effective, prescribers should eliminate non-standard abbreviations that are easily misread, such as non-English characters (e.g., μ). Using plain English for all prescription writing allows the patient to read and draw attention to any errors. Most patients at the cardiologist office need not only medication, but also a lot of instructions regarding lifestyle such as giving-up smoking, dietary habits, physical exercise, etc. Non–native English prescribers must be fluent in order to reassure the patient and his/her family regarding complete treatment.