Factors Influencing Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting in New South Wales Teaching Hospitals

Aim: To identify predisposing and enabling factors which influence adverse drug reaction reporting by medical, nursing and pharmacy staff in New South Wales teaching hospitals. Method: A questionnaire was distributed to all doctors, nurses and pharmacists in four New South Wales teaching hospitals. Health promotion concepts were used to provide a framework for interpreting results. Results: 4808 questionnaires were distributed and 1125 (23% response rate) were returned. Approximately 16% of respondents reported that they had reported an adverse drug reaction at least once to the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee. 82% routinely asked patients about previous adverse drug reactions on admission and 95% of these respondents documented the adverse drug reaction in the medical record. Only 36% knew how to report an adverse drug reaction in their hospital. Most claimed awareness of recognised goals of adverse drug reaction reporting but many also identified erroneous goals. They were more likely to report an adverse drug reaction if it was serious or related to a new product. Predisposing factors relating to knowledge were identified as barriers to reporting by about one‐third of respondents. Factors relating to attitudes and beliefs were not identified as barriers. Disabling factors included excessive workload, forms not readily available and insufficient data. Conclusion: Knowledge appears to be a greater influence on adverse drug reaction reporting than attitudes and beliefs. Simple enabling processes, such as making forms more accessible or encouraging computerised reporting, might result in more reports. Educational initiatives should target nurses and junior medical officers.