The Clinical Pharmacology Consultation Service: results of a physician survey before and after implementation

A total of 175 physicians were surveyed by questionnaire before a Clinical Pharmacology Consult Service was started. Of those that responded, 72% thought the service would be helpful, although 40% said they would use the service no more than once a month. Most physicians (75%) preferred self-initiated consultations to automatic surveillance. Ninety-two percent believed a physician should be involved in making drug recommendations. A second questionnaire was circulated 30 months later. Actual use of the service closely paralleled the results of the first survey. There was an increased preference for automatic surveillance (5% vs 32%) and many physicians (48%) indicated they felt comfortable accepting drug consultations from a pharmacist or clinical pharmacist. Despite a general attitude of acceptance, the majority of respondents ranked the Clinical Pharmacology Consult Service last as a source of drug information.