An evaluation of e-prescribing at a national level

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the article is to describe the process of implementing the Estonian national second generation electronic prescription service (e-prescription) and determine if the objectives set by the Estonian government were fulfilled.Materials and methods: The study presents an analysis of both retrospective and current data in the evaluation phase of a design research project. Sources include, among others, publicly available documents and previous evaluation studies.Results: According to all of the major stakeholders, the Estonian e-prescription service has very high usability and user satisfaction scores have been high. There is only little empirical evidence available to confirm if the benefits aimed for in the creation of the service were achieved. From a public administration viewpoint, the implementation of e-prescription has led to potential efficiency gains.Conclusion: The Estonian second-generation e-prescription system is widely used by citizens, healthcare providers and administrators alike. However, there are gaps in measuring the impact of the service, especially with respect to time savings and enhanced healthcare quality. Additional functionalities will be key drivers in creating benefits for all stakeholders. Future nationwide e-health services should have a more rigorous evaluation process carried out during the design and implementation stages.