Dalia Almaghaslah1, Abdulrhman Alsayari2, Saleh Ali Alyahya3, Rana Alshehri4, Khawlah Alqadi4, Sumiah Alasmari4. 1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61441, Saudi Arabia. 2. Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61441, Saudi Arabia. 3. Medical Supportive Services, Health Affairs, Asir Region, Ministry of Health, Abha 61441, Saudi Arabia. 4. College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61441, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Introduction: Design thinking, an innovative problem-solving approach, has gained wide popularity in healthcare disciplines. The aim of this work is to improve outpatients' experiences in hospital pharmacies in two hospitals in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The design thinking approach, adopted from Stanford University's D-School, was used in this study. Results: Several problems were identified: lack of comfortable environment in the pharmacies' waiting area, lack of a queue management system, and workflow inefficiencies related to ordering and supplies of medicines. A prototype was proposed to overcome these challenges. Discussion and Conclusion: The design thinking approach helped in identifying end-user (patients visiting outpatient pharmacies) values and desires and provided an understanding of their struggles. It also proposed tailored solutions that could improve patients' experiences while using the services of the outpatient pharmacies.
Introduction: Design thinking, an innovative problem-solving approach, has gained wide popularity in healthcare disciplines. The aim of this work is to improve outpatients' experiences in hospital pharmacies in two hospitals in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The design thinking approach, adopted from Stanford University's D-School, was used in this study. Results: Several problems were identified: lack of comfortable environment in the pharmacies' waiting area, lack of a queue management system, and workflow inefficiencies related to ordering and supplies of medicines. A prototype was proposed to overcome these challenges. Discussion and Conclusion: The design thinking approach helped in identifying end-user (patients visiting outpatient pharmacies) values and desires and provided an understanding of their struggles. It also proposed tailored solutions that could improve patients' experiences while using the services of the outpatient pharmacies.
Entities:
Keywords:
Saudi Arabia; design thinking; hospital pharmacy