Come migliorare i percorsi formativi per la segnalazione di sospette reazioni avverse a farmaci (ADR): una revisione della letteratura

Introduction: nurses, especially those operating in contexts such as Emergency Units, play a strategic role in identifying suspected adverse drug reactions (ADR). Despite the increasing number of training courses in pharmacovigilance targeting nurses, the number of reports of suspected ADR by nurses is, in Italy, still poor. The aim of this review is to identify the most effective training approaches and methods for nurses on pharmacovigilance. Materials and methods: a literature search has been conducted in the databases PubMed, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and ILISI for studies published from 2002 to 2012. Results: out of 193 works found in PubMed, 24 in CINAHL, and 1 in ILISI, only 6 studies were found perfectly relevant to research question and were analysed. Discussion: the results show that it is useful to plan training courses on the basis of the initial assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses in pharmacovigilance. Furthermore, it is beneficial to implement a training based on the assumptions of andragogy, to focus on interactive learning strategies, to carry out a training on the job (experiential learning), to provide continuing support by tutors and/or expert facilitators, to strengthen learning through repeated encounters over time. Conclusion: the review found that educational activities for nurses can be integrated into other interventions aimed to improve the organizational culture in Pharmacovigilance. Some questions remain open, concerning the competences that should be acquired in this field during the basic education and the most effective training to be given in specific contexts, such as Emergency Units. Future research is needed to evaluate outcomes training overtime through indicators such as the increase in the number and quality of ADR reports.