The Attitudes and Behaviours of the Patient Admitted to the Emergency Department about Rational Drug Use

Objective: the aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and behaviours of the patients admitted to the emergency department about rational drug use. method: in this cross-sectional descriptive study, 388 individuals who applied to emergency department of a university hospital between june and september 2018 were included. questionnaire form prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature was used in the data collection. approval from the university’s clinical trials ethics committee, and written permission from the institution were obtained. after the patients were informed about the purpose of the study, their written consents were obtained. results: it was determined that 71.6% of the individuals used unprescribed drugs within the last three months, 56.1% used analgesic without prescription, and 94.1% experienced no side effects related to the unprescribed drugs they used. it was found that the participants mostly kept analgesics, colds medications and antipyretics at their homes. it was determined that 35.5% of the individuals used the drugs given by the physician within the time recommended by the physician or pharmacist, 32.1% used them until the drugs were used up, 31.6% used them until their complaints were over; 80.5% applied to a physician in wrong drug uses, 78.3% consulted a physician in case of drug-related side effects, 71.1% did not recommend a drug which was good for their illness to someone else, and 62.3% did not use the products advertised in the media. conclusion: according to the results of the study, irrational drug use behaviors are still present in the participants. to raise awareness on rational drug use, formal and non-formal education opportunities should be developed and used continuously. in order to increase the sensitivity of the society and gain positive attitude and behaviour on this issue, it is recommended to maintain the follow-ups.