e-Prescription: what are the benefits and challenges for general practitioners and community pharmacists

ABSTRACT

Background: Since May 2020, the Australian Government has implemented e-prescription to provide convenience and choice to patients, improve efficiency of prescribing and dispensing medications, reduce errors, and minimise use of paper prescriptions. e-Prescriptions are digital prescriptions with a unique QR code which pharmacists could scan for the relevant information to provide patients with the prescribed medications. In the current COVID-19 pandemic environment, this initiative also provides an opportunity to protect community members and healthcare providers from exposure to infectious diseases by contributing to the telehealth services. However, there are mixed opinions amongst GPs and pharmacists about the switch to digital services. Anecdotally, there are also differences in the challenges in e-prescription faced by rural and metropolitan healthcare providers. Aims/Objective: Our study aims to explore the potential benefits, barriers and enablers of e-prescription to GPs and pharmacists in metropolitan Sydney by identifying challenges to and perceptions of its implementation. Findings will be compared with those of a similar study conducted in rural NSW. Method(s) This MBBS student research project is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 10 GPs and 10 pharmacists, recruited via professional networks and social media, to explore their experiences and views about e-prescription. Their responses will be audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. More interviews will be conducted to reach data saturation if necessary. Findings will be compared with those of the study conducted by the Bathurst Rural Clinical School in 2021. Finding(s) Ethics approval for this project is pending. Data collection is planned to start in May for 2 months. Preliminary results will be presented at this conference. Implications Findings may facilitate the implementation of e-prescription either through raised awareness of new technology or identification of areas for improvement. Further research to address any barriers that prevent providers from using e-prescription can improve patient care.