Medical students’ knowledge and awareness levels about biologics and biosimilars: the earlier the better?
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, vol.22, no.2, pp.245-251, 2022 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 22 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2022
- Doi Number: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1982890
- Journal Name: Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
- Page Numbers: pp.245-251
- Keywords: Medical education, biologics, biosimilars, medical students, IMMUNOGENICITY, PERCEPTION, MEDICINES
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Background: Although most studies about physician knowledge and attitude toward biosimilars have been conducted on specialists, studies addressing this issue among medical students are missing. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness levels of biologics and biosimilars of medical students who will encounter these products soon. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 228 medical students were grouped as preclinical (Years 1,2,3) and clinical (Years 4,5,6). Students were given a survey including demographic (grade and gender) and questions about assessing their knowledge about biologics and biosimilars. Results: Clinical students’ knowledge was better than preclinical students (54% and 25%, respectively). Students did not know much about biosimilars (7–20%) and thought a biosimilar is identical to its generic product (35%). More than 90% of the students thought that a lesson about biologics should be included in the medical curriculum. Conclusions: Our study showed that medical students had inadequate knowledge about biosimilars. We suggest that to establish a positive attitude toward prescribing biosimilars, knowledge about biologics and biosimilars should be delivered to physicians early, while they are still medical students, by including this topic into the medical curriculum.