Patient and clinician perspectives of an integrated electronic medication prescribing and dispensing system: A qualitative study at a multisite Australian hospital network

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. 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. 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. 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. 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