Six resident doctors specializing in Family and Community Medicine in the Southern Health Management Area of Seville have been recognized at the 45th National Congress of SEMERGEN (Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians). The award falls under the category of “Investigation project,” and acknowledges their study on the appropriate use and prescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for gastric acid.
The research, titled “Effectiveness of training in the Synthetic Index of Consumption of Proton Pump Inhibitors in medical professionals from Health Centers in the South Health Management Area of Seville,” was coordinated by Ana María Mateos, the Research advisor for residents of said medical specialty in this health area.
The study focused on the increased consumption of PPI drugs in recent years, which has led to concerns about the potential long-term adverse effects associated with their use. The researchers observed that PPIs are among the most frequently prescribed medications, with a prescription rate 70% above the European average.
The reasons for this surge in PPI consumption were attributed to factors such as the aging population, self-medication, high consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), empirical treatment of minor gastric conditions, lack of periodic review of treatments, and a false belief in the safety of long-term use of PPIs.
The researchers emphasized that long-term use of PPIs is not without serious adverse effects, including the risk of bone fractures, hypomagnesemia, kidney damage, C. difficile infection, and pneumonia. This led the authors of the study to emphasize the need to improve the training of professionals to promote the rational use of PPIs and reduce their long-term risks.
To address this, an intervention was carried out in practice in the health area, which included the delivery of support material and separate training sessions in six health centers. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of updating knowledge on this topic, raising awareness among professionals about the high rate of PPI consumption, and promoting the correct use and prescription of the drugs.
The award-winning study has contributed to the growing body of research on proper medication use within the medical community and will have important implications for the future training and prescription practices of primary care physicians.