Language and meaning

Pharmacists are crucial in providing both the optimum delivery of pharmacotherapy and clear scientific information to physicians and patients alike. But to what extent are student pharmacists equipped to promote evidence-based information given the prevalence of low-quality health content that is often easily available online?

Jasińska-Stroschein et al (2020) undertook a questionnaire-based investigation of 195 Polish pharmacy students to determine their susceptibility to popular myths about human health and treatment. They found that several false beliefs persisted, despite attending the relevant courses during their education; including, for example, false beliefs related to folic acid absorption, or the correct storage of opened insulin pens, or the iron content of spinach. Jasi˝ska-Stroschein et al (2020) conclude that ‘[m]ore attention should be given to evidence-based medicine skills, including the selection of proper scientific information and the adoption of a critical perspective towards all transmitted information among student pharmacists.’