Colin Whaley1,2, Ashley Bancsi3, Joanne Man-Wai Ho4,5,6, Catherine M Burns7, Kelly Grindrod3. 1. University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, 200 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. colin.whaley@uwaterloo.ca. 2. Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada. colin.whaley@uwaterloo.ca. 3. University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, 200 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. 4. Divisions of Geriatric Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada. 5. Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, 250 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo, N2J 0E2, ON, Canada. 6. GeriMedRisk, 250 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo, N2J 0E2, ON, Canada. 7. Department of Systems Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The indication for prescribing a particular medication, or its reason for use (RFU) is a crucial piece of information for all those involved in the circle of care. Research has shown that sharing RFU information with physicians, pharmacists and patients improves patient safety and patient adherence, however RFU is rarely added on prescriptions by prescribers or on medication labels for patients to reference. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 prescribers in Southern Ontario, Canada, to learn prescribers' current attitudes on the addition of RFU on prescriptions and medication labels. A trained interviewer used a semi-structured interview guide for each interview. The interviews explored how the sharing of RFU information would impact prescribers' workflows and practices. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically coded. RESULTS: The analysis yielded four main themes: Current Practice, Future Practice, Changing Culture, and Collaboration. Most of the prescribers interviewed do not currently add RFU to prescriptions. Prescribers were open to sharing RFU with colleagues via a regional database but wanted the ability to provide context for the prescribed medication within the system. Many prescribers were wary of the impact of adding RFU on their workflow but felt it could save time by avoiding clarifying questions from pharmacists. Increased interprofessional collaboration, increased patient understanding of prescribed medications, avoiding guesswork when determining indications and decreased misinterpretation regarding RFU were cited by most prescribers as benefits to including RFU information. CONCLUSIONS: Prescribers were generally open to sharing RFU and clearly identified the benefits to pharmacists and patients if added. Critically, they also identified benefits to their own practices. These results can be used to guide the implementation of future initiatives to promote the sharing of RFU in healthcare teams.
BACKGROUND: The indication for prescribing a particular medication, or its reason for use (RFU) is a crucial piece of information for all those involved in the circle of care. Research has shown that sharing RFU information with physicians, pharmacists and patients improves patient safety and patient adherence, however RFU is rarely added on prescriptions by prescribers or on medication labels for patients to reference. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 prescribers in Southern Ontario, Canada, to learn prescribers' current attitudes on the addition of RFU on prescriptions and medication labels. A trained interviewer used a semi-structured interview guide for each interview. The interviews explored how the sharing of RFU information would impact prescribers' workflows and practices. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically coded. RESULTS: The analysis yielded four main themes: Current Practice, Future Practice, Changing Culture, and Collaboration. Most of the prescribers interviewed do not currently add RFU to prescriptions. Prescribers were open to sharing RFU with colleagues via a regional database but wanted the ability to provide context for the prescribed medication within the system. Many prescribers were wary of the impact of adding RFU on their workflow but felt it could save time by avoiding clarifying questions from pharmacists. Increased interprofessional collaboration, increased patient understanding of prescribed medications, avoiding guesswork when determining indications and decreased misinterpretation regarding RFU were cited by most prescribers as benefits to including RFU information. CONCLUSIONS: Prescribers were generally open to sharing RFU and clearly identified the benefits to pharmacists and patients if added. Critically, they also identified benefits to their own practices. These results can be used to guide the implementation of future initiatives to promote the sharing of RFU in healthcare teams.
Authors: Gordon Schiff; Maria M Mirica; Ajit A Dhavle; William L Galanter; Bruce Lambert; Adam Wright Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2018-11 Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Pamela M Garabedian; Adam Wright; Isabella Newbury; Lynn A Volk; Alejandra Salazar; Mary G Amato; Aaron W Nathan; Katherine J Forsythe; William L Galanter; Kevin Kron; Sara Myers; Joanna Abraham; Sarah K McCord; Tewodros Eguale; David W Bates; Gordon D Schiff Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2019-03-01