Understanding doctors' perceptions of their prescribing competency and the value they ascribe to an electronic prescribing system

Melissa T. Baysari*, Johanna I. Westbrook, Richard O. Day

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Resistance to adoption has been identified as one of the major barriers to successful implementation of technological systems in hospitals. Acceptance of an electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) system is expected to occur if prescribers perceive a need for e-prescribing systems to reduce prescribing errors. We set out to examine doctors' perceptions of their prescribing competency and to identify perceived advantages and disadvantages of using an e-prescribing system, with the objective of determining the value doctors ascribed to the e-prescribing system. This study was conducted at a teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. Sixteen prescribers participated in a 20-minute semi-structured interview where they were asked to comment on prescribing errors (their own errors and errors they believed to be common) and advantages and disadvantages of the e-prescribing system. Prescribers held the view that they rarely made prescribing errors. Although users recognised advantages and disadvantages of using the e-prescribing system, most preferred paper to electronic prescribing. Prescribers most likely overestimated their prescribing competency and so failed to see the value of an e-prescribing system to reduce prescribing errors. E-prescribing system implementation is a challenging task for any hospital. These results suggest that keeping prescribers informed about their prescribing errors and the quality improvement benefits of eprescribing may lead to greater acceptance of and satisfaction with an eprescribing system.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHealth Informatics
Subtitle of host publicationBuilding a Healthcare Future Through Trusted Information - Selected Papers from the 20th Australian National Health Informatics Conference, HIC 2012
EditorsAnthony J. Maeder, Fernando J. Martin-Sanchez
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
PublisherIOS Press
Pages1-6
Number of pages6
Volume178
ISBN (Print)9781614990772, 1614990778
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
Event20th Australian National Health Informatics Conference, HIC 2012 - Sydney, NSW, Australia
Duration: 30 Jul 20122 Aug 2012

Other

Other20th Australian National Health Informatics Conference, HIC 2012
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney, NSW
Period30/07/122/08/12

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