Patient and clinician perspectives of an integrated electronic medication prescribing and dispensing system: A qualitative study at a multisite Australian hospital network. Issue 1 (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lau, Grace; Ho, Jayde; Lin, Susan; Yeoh, Karen; Wan, Tiffany; Hodgkinson, Marisa
• Is Part Of: Health information management journal. Volume 48:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: electronic prescribing -- medical order entry systems -- electronic health records -- attitude to computers -- computerised physician order entry systems -- patient data privacy; Medical records -- Management -- Periodicals; Medical records -- Management -- Australia -- Periodicals; Medical records -- Management; Australia; Periodicals; Periodicals; 651.50426105
• DOI: 10.1177/1833358317720601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1833-3583

Abstract

Background: While clinician attitudes towards electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems have been widely studied, little is known about the perspectives of patients, despite being the primary beneficiaries of these systems. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore and compare patient and clinician attitudes towards an integrated e-prescribing and dispensing system, in order to guide improvements in system implementation, service delivery and enhancements to system functionality. Method: A cross-sectional survey was developed and administered to patients and multidisciplinary clinicians at a multisite Australian metropolitan teaching hospital network in all areas where e-prescribing was fully implemented. Participants' views on perceived impact and valued features of the e-prescribing system were elucidated. Results: Overall, 783 participants (400 patients and 383 clinicians) completed the survey. Although 98% of clinicians were aware of the transition to e-prescriptions, only 36% of patients were aware prior to the study. Over 80% of patients and clinicians perceived improvements in prescribing and dispensing safety and clinician workflow; 90% of patients were comfortable with information privacy associated with e-prescriptions; and 86% of patients preferred e-prescriptions to handwritten prescriptions. Although over 80% of patients valued features that improved access to information and medication safety, clinicians were more discerning about valued system features. Conclusion: The majority of patients and clinicians reported a positive impact of e-prescribing on safety and efficiency. Both groups valued safe and effective use of medicines, although differences existed in the importance placed on key system features. A greater focus on patient engagement and communication is needed to optimise the delivery of patient-centred care.