Electronic Medication Information Sources: Understanding the Needs and Preferences of Health Professionals

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundTo improve the accessibility and usability of local medication information, the pharmacy department at the study hospital consolidated the electronic medication information and restructured the manner in which it is presented to clinicians.AimTo examine the electronic medication information needs of clinicians and to explore their preferences and views on the proposed ‘new’ medication information repository.MethodDoctors (n = 12), nurses (n = 15) and pharmacists (n = 8) from the study hospital participated either in a 30‐minute focus group or semi‐structured interview.ResultsDoctors and nurses did not use the local medication information and viewed the new medication information repository as not very useful. Users identified a range of issues related to the design and layout of the new repository. Clinicians are unlikely to use information if it is not visible during their work processes.ConclusionElectronic medication information needs and preferences of clinicians were identified as well as areas where redesign of electronic medication information sources is needed. It is not possible to meet the electronic medication information needs and preferences of all clinical users of a system or application.