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Alipour J, Payandeh A, Hashemi A, Aliabadi A, Karimi A. Physicians' Perspectives with the E-prescribing System in Five Teaching Hospitals. Appl Clin Inform 2024; 15:428-436. [PMID: 38810656 PMCID: PMC11136528 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the evidence suggesting the potential of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), this system also faces challenges that can lead to inefficiency and even failure. This study aimed to evaluate physicians' perspectives on the efficiency, effectiveness, opportunities, and challenges associated with the e-prescribing system. METHODS In 2023, a descriptive analytics cross-sectional study was carried out. Due to the finite population size, all the physicians from five studied hospitals who agreed to participate in the study were included through the census method (n = 195). Data collection was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive (mean, standard deviation, and frequency) and analytical (Pearson's correlation coefficient, two-sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear multiple regression model) statistics. RESULTS The mean scores of efficiency and effectiveness were 47.47 ± 14.46 and 36.09 ± 10.67 out of 95 and 65, respectively. Removing the illegibility of the prescriptions (n = 22) was the most frequent opportunity and internet connectivity problem (n = 37) was the most frequent challenge associated with the e-prescribing system. There was a strong positive significant correlation between efficiency and effectiveness (r = 0.850, p < 0.01). Moreover, age was found to have a significant negative correlation with efficiency (B = -7.261, p = 0.004) and effectiveness (B = - 5.784, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Physicians believe that e-prescribing enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. There are many opportunity and challenges to the use of e-prescription. Assessing the needs of physicians, actively participating and training them in the stages of design and implementation, and conducting regular evaluations of the e-prescribing system are crucial to overcome the challenges. Our finding offers insightful information about how doctors see the e-prescribing system at teaching hospitals and provide a basis for managers and policy makers at the local and national levels to support the implementation of this system and plan for improvement of its shortcomings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahanpour Alipour
- Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Payandeh
- Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Aida Hashemi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ali Aliabadi
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Karimi
- Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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Cassidy CE, Boulos L, McConnell E, Barber B, Delahunty-Pike A, Bishop A, Fatima N, Higgins A, Churchill M, Lively A, MacPhee SP, Misener RM, Sarty R, Wells R, Curran JA. E-prescribing and medication safety in community settings: A rapid scoping review. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2023; 12:100365. [PMID: 38023632 PMCID: PMC10679534 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Medication prescribing is essential for the treatment, curing, maintenance, and/or prevention of an illness and disease, however, medication errors remain common. Common errors including prescribing and administration, pose significant risk to patients. Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is one intervention used to enhance the safety and quality of prescribing by decreasing medication errors and reducing harm. E-prescribing in community-based settings has not been extensively examined. Objective To map and characterize the current evidence on e-prescribing and medication safety in community pharmacy settings. Methods We conducted a rapid scoping review of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies reporting on e-prescribing and medication safety. MEDLINE All (OVID), Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL Full Text (EBSCOHost), and Scopus (Elsevier) databases were searched December 2022 using keywords and MeSH terms related to e-prescribing, medication safety, efficiency, and uptake. Articles were imported to Covidence and screened by two reviewers. Data were extracted by a single reviewer and verified by a second reviewer using a standardized data extraction form. Findings are reported in accordance with JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis following thematic analysis to narratively describe results. Results Thirty-five studies were included in this review. Most studies were quantitative (n = 22), non-experimental study designs (n = 16) and were conducted in the United States (n = 18). Half of included studies reported physicians as the prescriber (n = 18), while the remaining reported a mix of nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physician assistants (n = 6). Studies reported on types of errors, including prescription errors (n = 20), medication safety errors (n = 9), dispensing errors (n = 2), and administration errors (n = 1). Few studies examined patient health outcomes, such as adverse drug events (n = 5). Conclusions Findings indicate that most research is descriptive in nature and focused primarily on rates of prescription errors. Further research, such as experimental, implementation, and evaluation mixed-methods research, is needed to investigate the effects of e-prescribing on reducing error rates and improving patient and health system outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E. Cassidy
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leah Boulos
- Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Bishop
- Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Nawal Fatima
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rowan Sarty
- Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Janet A. Curran
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Dick-Smith F, Fry MF, Salter R, Tinker M, Leith G, Donoghoe S, Harris C, Murphy S, Elliott R. Barriers and enablers for safe medication administration in adult and neonatal intensive care units mapped to the behaviour change wheel. Nurs Crit Care 2023; 28:1184-1195. [PMID: 37614015 DOI: 10.1111/nicc.12968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive care settings have high rates of medication administration errors. Medications are often administered by nurses and midwives using a specified process (the '5 rights'). Understanding where medication errors occur, the contributing factors and how best practice is delivered may assist in developing interventions to improve medication safety. AIMS To identify medication administration errors and context specific barriers and enablers for best practice in an adult and a neonatal intensive care unit. Secondary aims were to identify intervention functions (through the Behaviour Change Wheel). STUDY DESIGN A dual methods exploratory descriptive study was conducted (May to June 2021) in a mixed 56-bedded adult intensive care unit and a 6-bedded neonatal intensive care unit in Sydney, Australia. Incident monitoring data were examined. Direct semi-covert observational medication administration audits using the 5 rights (n = 39) were conducted. Brief interviews with patients, parents and nurses were conducted. Data were mapped to the Behaviour Change Wheel. RESULTS No medication administration incidents were recorded. Audits (n = 3) for the neonatal intensive care unit revealed no areas for improvement. Adult intensive care unit nurses (n = 36) performed checks for the right medication 35 times (97%) and patient identity 25 times (69%). Sixteen administrations (44%) were interrupted. Four themes were synthesized from the interview data: Trust in the nursing profession; Availability of policies and procedures; Adherence to the '5 rights' and departmental culture; and Adequate staffing. The interventional functions most likely to bring about behaviour change were environmental restructuring, enablement, restrictions, education, persuasion and modelling. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals insights about the medication administration practices of nurses in intensive care. Although there were areas for improvement there was widespread awareness among nurses regarding their responsibilities to safely administer medications. Interview data indicated high levels of trust among patients and parents in the nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This novel study indicated that nurses in intensive care are aware of their responsibilities to safely administer medications. Mapping of contextual data to the Behaviour Change Wheel resulted in the identification of Intervention functions most likely to change medication administration practices in the adult intensive care setting that is environmental restructuring, enablement, restrictions, education, persuasion and modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Dick-Smith
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margaret Fry Fry
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Salter
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Tinker
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Grace Leith
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Donoghoe
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claire Harris
- Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sandra Murphy
- Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rosalind Elliott
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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Heeney C, Bouamrane M, Malden S, Cresswell K, Williams R, Sheikh A. Optimising ePrescribing in hospitals through the interoperability of systems and processes: a qualitative study in the UK, US, Norway and the Netherlands. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2023; 23:211. [PMID: 37821881 PMCID: PMC10568858 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-023-02316-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investment in the implementation of hospital ePrescribing systems has been a priority in many economically-developed countries in order to modernise the delivery of healthcare. However, maximum gains in the safety, quality and efficiency of care are unlikely to be fully realised unless ePrescribing systems are further optimised in a local context. Typical barriers to optimal use are often encountered in relation to a lack of systemic capacity and preparedness to meet various levels of interoperability requirements, including at the data, systems and services levels. This lack of systemic interoperability may in turn limit the opportunities and benefits potentially arising from implementing novel digital heath systems. METHODS We undertook n = 54 qualitative interviews with key stakeholders at nine digitally advanced hospital sites across the UK, US, Norway and the Netherlands. We included hospitals featuring 'standalone, best of breed' systems, which were interfaced locally, and multi-component and integrated electronic health record enterprise systems. We analysed the data inductively, looking at strategies and constraints for ePrescribing interoperability within and beyond hospital systems. RESULTS Our thematic analysis identified 4 main drivers for increasing ePrescribing systems interoperability: (1) improving patient safety (2) improving integration & continuity of care (3) optimising care pathways and providing tailored decision support to meet local and contextualised care priorities and (4) to enable full patient care services interoperability in a variety of settings and contexts. These 4 interoperability dimensions were not always pursued equally at each implementation site, and these were often dependent on the specific national, policy, organisational or technical contexts of the ePrescribing implementations. Safety and efficiency objectives drove optimisation targeted at infrastructure and governance at all levels. Constraints to interoperability came from factors such as legacy systems, but barriers to interoperability of processes came from system capability, hospital policy and staff culture. CONCLUSIONS Achieving interoperability is key in making ePrescribing systems both safe and useable. Data resources exist at macro, meso and micro levels, as do the governance interventions necessary to achieve system interoperability. Strategic objectives, most notably improved safety, often motivated hospitals to push for evolution across the entire data architecture of which they formed a part. However, hospitals negotiated this terrain with varying degrees of centralised coordination. Hospitals were heavily reliant on staff buy-in to ensure that systems interoperability was built upon to achieve effective data sharing and use. Positive outcomes were founded on a culture of agreement about the usefulness of access by stakeholders, including prescribers, policymakers, vendors and lab technicians, which was reflected in an alignment of governance goals with system design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Heeney
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh Old Medical School Teviot Place Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Matt Bouamrane
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh Old Medical School Teviot Place Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9AG, UK.
| | - Stephen Malden
- Usher Institute | Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC), Usher Institute | Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter 9 Little France Road, Biocubes, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Kathrin Cresswell
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh Old Medical School Teviot Place Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Robin Williams
- Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Centre for Medical Informatics, The Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh Old Medical School Teviot Place Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9AG, UK
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Birinci Ş, Simten Malhan B. Distribution and Economic Burden of Diabetes-Related Microvascular Complications in Türkiye. Anatol J Cardiol 2023; 27:597-607. [PMID: 37779367 PMCID: PMC10541788 DOI: 10.14744/anatoljcardiol.2023.3762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to map microvascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus from personal health records and to guide chronic disease management by revealing the economic burden of the disease. METHOD The data of patients with diabetes who developed microvascular complications were obtained from the e-Pulse database of the Ministry of Health, with the definitions of the disease. First, the distribution of patients by province and gender was determined and then patients with multiple complications were identified. Only direct costs and their distribution on the basis of complications were determined from the database according to the cost of illness methodology from the payer’s perspective. Then, average annual per-patient costs were determined using a top-down costing approach. RESULTS Between 2016 and 2020, a total of 7 656 700 patients with diabetes were reached. The number of patients with microvascular complications between 2016 and 2020 obtained from the e-Pulse database with the above definitions was 1 466 387. Regarding the complications, a total of 66 838 people developed nephropathy, 314 706 people developed retinopathy, and 1 084 843 people developed neuropathy. The total cost of patients with microvascular complications was $1 482 278 950.76 and the average annual cost per patient was $1010.84. The average annual cost of neuropathy is $659 862 971.96, retinopathy is $356 594 282.51 and nephropathy is $465 821 696.29, with per-patient costs of $701.82, $1495.24, and $10 516.11, respectively. CONCLUSION Diabetes mellitus, with its microvascular complications, causes significant disease and economic burden. Türkiye’s national health database system, e-Pulse, is an important database that provides patient follow-up at both individual and population levels and helps with the management of the disease and taking preventive measures before the development of the complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Berna Simten Malhan
- Department of Healthcare Management, Güven Healthcare Group, Ankara, Türkiye
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Alsahali S, Almutairi G, Aedh R, Alanezi S, Almutairi H, Anaam M, Alshammari M, Alhabib A, Alowayed A, Abdulsalim S. Perceptions of Community Pharmacists toward the National E-Prescribing Service (Wasfaty) and Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of the Service: A Descriptive Study from Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. PHARMACY 2023; 11:152. [PMID: 37736924 PMCID: PMC10514789 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11050152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electronic prescribing systems (e-prescription) for medications have many benefits, including patient safety, increase in patient satisfaction, efficiency of pharmacy work, and quality of patient care. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the national e-prescription system "Wasfaty" service in Saudi Arabia, which was recently adopted. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to explore the benefits observed through the use of the system and most frequent challenges experienced by community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS This study was conducted using a descriptive survey on a web-based platform. The target population of the study included community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia who worked in pharmacy chains utilizing the e-prescription service between September 2022 and November 2022. Descriptive statistics along with multiple ordinal regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS The study population consisted of 124 pharmacists, of which 62.9% (78/124) were males and 37.1% (46/124) were females. Most of the participants had a positive perception of the e-prescription system with regard to medication safety, with 68.6% (85/124) indicating that e-prescriptions reduce the risk of dispensing errors. However, 81.5% (101/124) did not agree that the e-prescription system resulted in a reduction in workload, and 70.2% (87/124) disagreed that the service increased patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicated that the national e-prescription system has many benefits to healthcare employees and improves their work, particularly for patient safety, reducing medication errors, and improving the management of patient medications. The participants believe that there is a need to improve communication with prescribers, showing concern about the unavailability of some medications; thus, it is important for policymakers to encourage other pharmacy chains and suppliers to join the service to increase patient access to medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saud Alsahali
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Ghazwaa Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Raghad Aedh
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Sarah Alanezi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Hanan Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Mohammed Anaam
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Mohammed Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Abdulmalik Alhabib
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
| | - Abdullah Alowayed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Alrass General Hospital, Qassim Health Cluster, P.O. Box 58883, Alrass 51921, Qassim, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Suhaj Abdulsalim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, P.O. Box 5888, Unaizah 51911, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; (G.A.); (R.A.); (S.A.); (H.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.A.); (S.A.)
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Heeney C, Malden S, Sheikh A. Finding the 'sweet spot' between customisation and workflows when optimising ePrescribing systems: a multisite qualitative study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e062391. [PMID: 36576184 PMCID: PMC9723895 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The introduction of ePrescribing systems offers the potential to improve the safety, quality and efficiency of prescribing, medication management decisions and patient care. However, an ePrescribing system will require some customisation and configuration to capture a range of workflows in particular hospital settings. This can be part of an optimisation strategy, which aims at avoiding workarounds that lessen anticipated safety and efficiency benefits. This paper aims to identify ePrescribing optimisation strategies that can be translated into hospitals in different national settings. We will explore the views of professionals on the impact of configuration and customisation on workflow. DESIGN This paper draws on 54 qualitative interviews with clinicians, pharmacists and informatics professionals with experience of optimising ePrescribing systems in eight hospital sites and one health system, in four different countries. Interview transcripts were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. SETTING Secondary and tertiary care hospitals in the UK, USA and mainland Europe. PARTICIPANTS Fifty-four healthcare workers with expertise in clinical informatics. RESULTS Five identified themes following thematic analysis showed that optimisation of ePrescribing systems can involve configuration and/or customisation. This can be a strategy to combat workarounds and to respond to local policy, safety protocols and workflows for particular patient populations. However, it can result in sites taking on responsibility for training and missing out on vendor updates. Working closely with vendors and other users can mitigate the need for extensive system modification and produce better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Modifying an ePrescribing system remains key to enhancing patient safety, and better captured workflow remains key to optimisation. However, we found evidence of an increasingly cautious approach to both customisation and configuration among system users. This has led to users seeking to make less changes to the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Heeney
- Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephen Malden
- Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Division of Community Health Sciences, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Grata-Borkowska U, Sobieski M, Drobnik J, Fabich E, Bujnowska-Fedak MM. Perception and Attitude toward Teleconsultations among Different Healthcare Professionals in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11532. [PMID: 36141806 PMCID: PMC9517420 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Teleconsultation has become one of the most important and sometimes the only possible forms of communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The perceptions and attitudes of HCPs to teleconsultations may affect the quality of the therapeutic process provided using them. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the attitudes to and perceptions of medical teleconsultation among various HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed data from a dedicated questionnaire on preferences, attitudes, and opinions about teleconsultation, which was filled by 780 Polish HCPs. Most of the HCPs were doctors and nurses (69% and 19%, respectively); most of the doctors were family physicians (50.1%). During the pandemic, teleconsultation and face-to-face contact were reported as the preferred methods of providing medical services with similar frequency. Doctors and nurses displayed the most positive attitude toward teleconsultation while the paramedics and physiotherapists took the least positive view of it. The most frequently indicated ratio of the optimal number of teleconsultations to in-person visits in primary health facilities care was 20%:80%. Most HCPs appreciate the value of teleconsultation, and more than half of them are willing to continue this form of communication with the patient when necessary or desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mateusz Sobieski
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Drobnik
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Education, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-372 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Fabich
- Jan Mikulicz-Radecki University Teaching Hospital, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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