Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN) and Early Career Psychiatrists: A Cross-Sectional Study on Views, Attainment and Needs

TL;DR

This study explores how early career psychiatrists view and use a new neuroscience-based drug classification system called NbN.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the perspectives of early career psychiatrists on a novel neuroscience-based drug classification system.

Findings

The study will analyze how early career psychiatrists experience and perceive different drug classification systems.

Findings will highlight the needs and views of early career psychiatrists on drug classification systems.

Results will inform strategies to improve the use and teaching of neuroscience-based nomenclature.

Abstract

Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) indication-based classification system is the World Health Organization (WHO) drug classification system and it is widely used in clinical and researh practice, however there has been questions around the scientific base of this (1, 2). Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN) has been developed by representatives from 5 international organizations, with specific expertise in psychopharmacology, to address the issues around neuropsychopharmacological drug classification and improve the focus on pharmacological domains and mode of action:

ECNP – European College of Neuropsychopharmacology

ACNP – American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

AsCNP – Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology

CINP – International College of Neuropsychopharmacology

IUPHAR – International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology

References:

1. Nutt DJ. Beyond psychoanaleptics - can we improve antidepressant drug nomenclature? [published correction appears in J Psychopharmacol. 2009 Sept;23(7):861]. J Psychopharmacol. 2009;23(4):343-345. doi:10.1177/0269881109105498

2. Zohar J, Stahl S, Moller HJ, et al. A review of the current nomenclature for psychotropic agents and an introduction to the Neuroscience-based Nomenclature. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015;25(12):2318-2325. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.08.019

As NbN is a novel classification system that can be used as a teaching tool as well as for other purposes, we aimed to understand the experience, views and needs of the psychiatric trainees and early career psychiatrists who will shape the future of psychiatry, around drug classification systems.

The ethical clearance of the study was obtained from King’s College London. We prepared an online survey (https://forms.gle/FCSdVTFH4U5QNn5t8) with a multinational group of early career pscyhiatrists who met through the CINP and EFPT, and test-run the survey with a small group of psychiatric trainees. The online survey was then disseminated via emailing lists and groups of early careers psychiatrists as well as through social media.

At the time of this abstract submission, the data collection is ongoing. Results will include analyses of the experience with different drug classifcations systems, awareness, views and attainment of NbN, stratified according to the demographic data (country, careers status, main work setting).

The findings from this study will shed light on the views and needs of early career psychiatrists on the topic from clinical and academic aspects, a previously unexplored perspective on drug classification systems. The findings can inform the planning of various strategies to address areas to improve the use and teaching of these tools.

None Declared