Systematic mapping of studies published in Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice from 2008-2015

Introduction: Pharmacy practice profession had evolved in India over a period of time, but still a lot of work needs to be done. Indian journal of pharmacy practice was started in 2008 to meet the demand of a required forum for the professionals working in the area of pharmacy practice. Objective: To map the publications of Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJOPP) for a period of Oct 2008 to Jun 2015. Method: This study was carried out for a period of four months from Sept 2015 to Dec 2015. The papers published in IJOPP, both hard and electronic versions from Oct 2008 to Jun 2015 were screened. Publications were classified with respect to publication year, nature of the publication, therapeutic area, area of research, study design, data source, study duration, authors' details, geographical region where the study was conducted, affiliated college and hospitals, nature of healthcare setting, and set of subjects/patients in the study. All the results were represented as percentage(s) and number(s). Results: A total of 321 publications have been published till date.The number of research articles were 203 in number followed by review, case report, short communication and letter to editor (68, 34, 15 and 1, respectively). Infectious diseases were found to be the most common therapeutic area in research and review categories (8 and 43, respectively). Maximum numbers of publications were in pharmacovigilance (57). 93 (of 169) publications explicitly reported the study design and 28 were cross-sectional (28/38 publications did not report study design). Out-patients data were used in 57 publications (out of 193, publications reported data collection source). Study duration was 6 months in 90 (out of total 164, publications). Four authors were involved in 83 publications (out of total 321). Corresponding authors in 278 (278/313) publications were from pharmacy background. 161(161/276) publications belonged to pharmacy practice department. Maximum number of publications were from Karnataka (90/321). Study sites were hospitals in 171 publications. 146 studies were carried out in tertiary care hospital. Out of total, 72 publications included the adults and geriatrics as study population. Conclusion: Infectious diseases and pharmacovigilance were found to be most studied area. Study designs were not reported in 38 publications. Most of the studies were carried out for less than or equal to 6 months. Adults and geriatric "patients/subjects" groups were found to be most commonly studied.