scholarly journals Challenges to the implementation of a nationwide electronic prescribing network in primary care: a qualitative study of users’ perceptions

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 838-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude Motulsky ◽  
Claude Sicotte ◽  
Marie-Pierre Gagnon ◽  
Julie Payne-Gagnon ◽  
Julie-Alexandra Langué-Dubé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Electronic Prescribing ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Dispensing Data

Abstract Background and objective The objective of this study was to identify physicians’ and pharmacists’ perceptions of the challenges and benefits to implementing a nationwide electronic prescribing network linking medical clinics and community pharmacies in Quebec, Canada. Methods Forty-nine people (12 general practitioners, 2 managers, 33 community pharmacists, and 2 pharmacy staff members) from 40 points of care (10 primary care clinics (42% of all the connected sites) and 30 community pharmacies (44%)) were interviewed in 2013. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results A low level of network use was observed. Most pharmacists processed e-prescriptions by manual entry instead of importing electronically. They reported concerns about potential errors generated by importing e-prescriptions, mainly due to the instruction field. Paper prescriptions were still perceived as the best means for safe and effective processing of prescriptions in pharmacies. Speed issues when validating e-prescription messages were seen as an irritant by physicians, and resulted in several of them abandoning transmission. Displaying the medications based on the dispensing data was identified as the main obstacle to meaningful use of medication histories. Conclusions Numerous challenges impeded realization of the benefits of this network. Standards for e-prescription messages, as well as rules for message validation, need to be improved to increase the potential benefits of e-prescriptions. Standard drug terminology including the concept of clinical medication should be developed, and the implementation of rules in local applications to allow for the classification and reconciliation of medication lists from dispensing data should be made a priority.

scholarly journals Connecting primary care clinics and community pharmacies through a nationwide electronic prescribing network: A qualitative study

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Pierre Gagnon ◽  
Julie Payne-Gagnon ◽  
Claude Sicotte ◽  
Julie-Alexandra Langué-Dubé ◽  
Aude Motulsky
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Electronic Prescribing ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Primary Care Clinics

scholarly journals Can Pharmacists Fill the Primary Care Provider Gap in Recommending Breast Screening?

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 159s-159s
Author(s):  
M. Scanlon ◽  
V. Pridmore ◽  
M. Davis ◽  
A. Cooper ◽  
A. Beauchamp
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Breast Screening ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
Funding Model

Background and context: BreastScreen Victoria (BSV) provides free breast screening to women aged 40+, targeting women aged 50-74. The program reduces breast cancer deaths by up to 28%. Primary care is important in improving uptake of breast screening. In particular, a recommendation from a health professional is a strong influencer. Many general practitioners (GPs) recommend screening, however, it is important to expand recruitment to other health professionals given many women do not visit a GP regularly. Community pharmacists and pharmacy staff may be a trusted source of health information, and are potentially an underutilized opportunity to promote breast screening to women. Based on this gap, BSV developed a three month pharmacy-based screening awareness campaign that was trialed in community pharmacies throughout 2017/18. The campaign is based on a UK community pharmacy model that was shown to successfully increase public awareness about cancer screening. Aim: BSV aims to diversify the types of health professionals that recommend screening to reach women who do not visit a GP regularly. The aim of the pharmacy-based breast screening awareness campaign is to: • build capacity of pharmacy staff to deliver breast screening messages to their communities • increase awareness of breast screening in women aged 50-74 • increase awareness of breast screening among family and friends of women Strategy/Tactics: BSV's pharmacy-based breast screening awareness campaign was trialed in 4 community pharmacies in 2017. Each pharmacy received a grant of up to $1550 which enabled them to: • allow pharmacy staff to attend training to increase their knowledge of breast screening and the campaign • display BreastScreen collateral throughout the store to provide information and prompt queries • initiate conversations and answer questions about breast screening • monitor campaign activity via a number of methods Outcomes: • Posttraining, 100% of staff were confident in promoting breast screening to customers • Staff across 4 pharmacies had 638 conversations about breast screening with customers (average 160/pharmacy). The majority were with women in the target age group • Most pharmacies suggested shortening the campaign to 2 months • All pharmacies said the funding was a critical motivator to participation • All pharmacies stated that the campaign was worthwhile, and allowed them to participate in health promotion Two additional trials are scheduled to test a reduced campaign duration and funding model. Results will be available later in 2018 What was learned: • Many women do not visit their GP regularly • Community pharmacists and pharmacy staff are an underutilized opportunity to promote breast screening • Delivering cancer screening messages through community pharmacies is an effective way to reach women aged 50-74 • Pharmacy funding and training are critical in enabling pharmacies to deliver a breast screening awareness campaign

scholarly journals Australian Community Pharmacy Harm-Minimisation Services: Scope for Service Expansion to Improve Healthcare Access

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Sara S. McMillan ◽  
Hidy Chan ◽  
Laetitia H. Hattingh
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Harm Minimisation ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Education Support

Community pharmacies are well positioned to participate in harm-minimisation services to reduce harms caused by both licit and illicit substances. Considering developments in pharmacist practices and the introduction of new professional pharmacy services, we identified a need to explore the contemporary role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore the opinions of stakeholders, pharmacy staff, and clients about the role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation, including provision of current services, experiences, and expectations. Participants (n = 28) included 5 stakeholders, 9 consumers, and 14 staff members from seven community pharmacies. Three over-arching themes were identified across the three participants groups: (i) scope and provision, (ii) complexity, and (iii) importance of person-centred advice and support in relation to community pharmacy harm minimisation services. Community pharmacies are valuable healthcare destinations for delivery of harm minimisation services, with scope for service expansion. Further education, support, and remuneration are needed, as well as linkage to other sector providers, in order to ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy staff are well equipped to provide a range of harm minimisation services.

An Examination of the Prescription Renewal Process and Implications for Primary Care Physicians and Community Pharmacists

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Pattin ◽  
Nathan Devore ◽  
Jonathan Fowler ◽  
David Weldy
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Renewal Process ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Primary Care Setting ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Physician Practices ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

In physician practices and pharmacies, staff members work to process prescription renewals so that patients receive a steady supply of medications. These functions are essential to ensure patients have continuous access to medications and remain adherent to prescribed therapies. Despite the incorporation of e-prescribing software programs to ease management of these processes, barriers to effective management of the prescription renewal process exist. Mismanagement of pharmacy adherence programs can ultimately lead to patients receiving inappropriate medications and excessive use of staff resources. The objective of this article is to examine the prescription renewal process in both the primary care setting and the pharmacy and report challenges associated with the process. A literature review was conducted to find studies that describe pharmacists’ and physicians’ handlings of prescription renewals, use of e-prescribing software, and benefits and barriers to using these technologies. Although studies report e-prescribing software improves efficiency in the prescription renewal process, there is a need to reduce technological problems that create challenges in use. It is recommended that staff within physician practices and pharmacies standardize prescription renewal processes and educate patients about the prescription renewal process.

scholarly journals Electronic transmission of prescriptions in primary care: transformation, timing and teamwork

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Chloë Campbell ◽  
Caroline Morris ◽  
Lynn McBain
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Interprofessional Communication ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Handwritten Signature ◽  
Purposive Sample

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown in New Zealand in March 2020, there was a rapid shift to virtual consultations in primary care. This change was supported by system adjustments to enable electronic transmission of prescriptions without a handwritten signature if they met certain security criteria. International research suggests potential for unintended consequences with such changes, so it is important to understand the effect on professional practice in New Zealand general practice and community pharmacy.AIMThe purpose of this study was to undertake a preliminary exploration of the experiences of New Zealand general practitioners and community pharmacists when prescriptions are transmitted electronically directly from prescriber to pharmacy.METHODSSemi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of four pharmacists and four general practitioners gathered qualitative data about their experiences of the shift to electronic transmission of prescriptions. Participants’ perceptions of effect on professional workflow, interprofessional interactions between general practitioners and pharmacists, and interactions with patients were explored. Interviews were audio-recorded, and the data analysed thematically using an inductive approach.RESULTSFour themes were identified: workflow transformation; mixed impact on interactions with patients; juggling timing and expectations; and new avenues for interprofessional communication (with some cul-de-sacs).DISCUSSIONBoth general practitioners and pharmacists experienced transformational changes to workflow. This was positive for general practitioners due to saved time and increased work flexibility. Pharmacists noted potential benefits but also some challenges. To fully reap teamwork benefits, more work is needed on managing the timing issues and patient expectations, and to refine the new modes of communication between health-care practitioners.

scholarly journals A Survey of Computerization of Selected Community Pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-190
Author(s):  
K. J. Awogbemi ◽  
R. T. Olaniyi ◽  
W. O. Erhun
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Power Supply ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Electronic Prescribing ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Software Packages

Background: The use of computers has had impact in all professions including pharmacy. Computers have found lots of application in the management of inventories, electronic prescribing and counting machines for tablets and capsules.Objective: This research was designed to identify the types of technology devices and programs in use by community pharmacies, capabilities of software in use, as well as to identify the challenges faced by community pharmacists in the use of computerized systems in their premises.Method: A cross-sectional survey of 217 community pharmacies in 6 Southwestern Nigerian states was done using a set of questionnaires. Data gathered was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 17.Results: Some community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria used inventory management software (47.0%). The reported capabilities of the software packages in use included sales processing (99.0%), account processing (88.2%) and POS link (62.7%). The reasons why some community pharmacies have not computerized their outlets were erratic power supply (56.2%), high cost of the devices (48.4%) and low turnover (35.9%). The major challenges faced by community pharmacists in the use of computer devices in their premises included erratic power supply (90.2%) and high cost of fuel (83.3%).Conclusion: The level of computerization of community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria was observed to be generally low. Erratic power supply and cost of device were major challenges to the computerization of community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria. Keywords: Community Pharmacy, Software, Computerization

Beyond Co-location: Visual Connections of Staff Workstations and Staff Communication in Primary Care Clinics

2020 ◽  
pp. 001391652095027
Author(s):  
Lisa Lim ◽  
Ruth Kanfer ◽  
Robert J. Stroebel ◽  
Craig M. Zimring
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Spatial Metrics ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Work Spaces ◽  
Team Based Care

The importance of communication among healthcare providers has been long recognized, and many healthcare organizations are implementing team-based care, with emphasis on staff communication. While previous empirical studies in various settings illustrate the role of built environments in user communication, there is a lack of quantified interpersonal spatial metrics to predict interactions. This study investigates how interpersonal spatial metrics at different scales predict staff communication patterns by empirically studying four primary care clinics that provide team-based care. We found that staff members in clinics with higher visual connections among staff members reported more timely and frequent communication. We also found that staff members talked to each other more frequently when their workstations were visually connected. The findings of this study are expected to help designers and facility managers provide well-designed team-based clinic layouts, beyond just shared work spaces for team members, for improved staff communication.

scholarly journals Pharmacist-Physician Interprofessional Collaboration to Promote Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment: Increasing Diagnosis Rate

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hernán Ramos ◽  
Juan Pardo ◽  
Rafael Sánchez ◽  
Esteve Puchades ◽  
Jordi Pérez-Tur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Community Pharmacies

The increased pressure on primary care makes it important for other health care providers, such as community pharmacists, to collaborate with general practitioners in activities related to chronic disease care. Therefore, the objective of the present project was to develop a protocol of action that allows close pharmacist-physician collaboration to carry out a coordinated action for very early detection of cognitive impairment (CI).Methods: A comparative study to promote early detection of CI was conducted in 19 community pharmacies divided into two groups: one group with interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and one group without interprofessional collaboration (NonIPC). IPC was defined as an interactive procedure involving all pharmacists, general practitioners and neurologists. A total of 281 subjects with subjective memory complaints were recruited. Three tests were used in the community pharmacies to detect possible CI: Memory Impairment Screening, Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire, and Semantic Verbal Fluency. Individuals with at least one positive cognitive test compatible with CI, were referred to primary care, and when appropriate, to the neurology service. Finally, we evaluated the differences in clinical and diagnostic follow-up in both groups after six months.Results: The NonIPC study group included 38 subjects compatible with CI referred to primary care (27.54%). Ten were further referred to a neurology department (7.25%) and four of them (2.90%) obtained a confirmed clinical diagnosis of CI. In contrast, in the IPC group, 46 subjects (32.17%) showed results compatible with CI and were referred to primary care. Of these, 21 (14.68%) were subsequently referred to a neurology service, while the remaining 25 were followed up by primary care. Nineteen individuals out of those referred to a neurology service obtained a confirmed clinical diagnosis of CI (13.29%). The percentage of subjects in the NonIPC group referred to neurology and the percentage of subjects diagnosed with CI, was significantly lower in comparison to the IPC group (p-value = 0.0233; p-value = 0.0007, respectively).Conclusions: The creation of IPC teams involving community pharmacists, general practitioners, and neurologists allow for increased detection of patients with CI or undiagnosed dementia and facilitates their clinical follow-up. This opens the possibility of diagnosis in patients in the very early stages of dementia, which can have positive implications to improve the prognosis and delay the evolution of the disease.

Pharmacist‐led transitions of care between hospitals, primary care clinics, and community pharmacies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Cossette ◽  
Geneviève Ricard ◽  
Rolande Poirier ◽  
Suzanne Gosselin ◽  
Marie‐France Langlois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Primary Care Clinics

scholarly journals A Qualitative Evaluation of Knowledge of and Attitudes toward VA Smoking Cessation Services

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie L. Cunningham ◽  
Peter J. Kaboli ◽  
Sarah Ono ◽  
Mark W. Vander Weg
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Primary Care Clinic ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Smoking Cessation Services ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

AbstractIntroduction:The aim of this study was to assess Veterans' and primary care clinic staff's knowledge about, and experiences with, tobacco cessation services available through their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility.Methods:Qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews and surveys were conducted with 7 patients and 12 providers/clinic staff members at three VA primary care clinics serving large numbers of rural Veterans. Interviews were transcribed and coded for the- matic content.Results:Five primary themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge about available cessation services, (2) smoking cessation services provided to patients, (3) perceived barriers to cessation and the provision of treatment, (4) patient receptiveness to treatment and primary care provider involvement, (5) recommended strategies for improving smoking cessation services.Discussion:Our findings suggest there is a considerable lack of knowledge regarding available tobacco cessation services in VA primary care clinics serving rural Veterans. While many patients expressed the opinion that VA was providing adequate care for nicotine dependence, they also identified important barriers to cessation and offered opinions regarding what more could be done to help them to quit smoking. Clinicians/staff also provided insight into barriers they encounter in the delivery of cessation services. Future work should focus on attempting to address these barriers.

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