Perception of health professionals towards electronic prescription in a teaching hospital
1
Pharmacy, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
2
Medicine, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
3
Pharmacy, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
4
Pharmacy, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia
5
Pharmacy, Bahirdar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
For many years, physicians have primarily relied on handwritten prescriptions to convey medication therapy decisions to pharmacists. However, in the past decade, electronic prescribing has emerged as the latest technological advancement, gradually replacing traditional paper prescriptions. There is evidence that design and technical issues, interoperability, data relevance, user attitudes toward e-prescribing, productivity, and available resources are key factors influencing the implementation of e-prescribing for users.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit 423 study participants among health care professionals of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital. descriptive statistics were used to report frequencies and percentages. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine determinant factors for perceived usefulness towards electronic prescription.
RESULTS:
The study surveyed 423 individuals, with 364 completing the questionnaire (86.05% response rate). Of these, 275 (75.55%) were male, and 132 (36.26%) were aged 36–45, showing a mostly middle-aged, male workforce. A total of 283 (77.75%) felt comfortable using computers, and 247 (67.86%) used them for personal activities, indicating strong digital engagement. Significant factors linked to positive perceptions included general practitioners being 2.21 times more likely to have favorable views (AOR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.05–3.16; p=0.002) and those with 16–20 years of experience 1.42 times more likely (AOR=1.42; 95% CI: 1.19–2.88; p=0.001). Participants handling fewer than 10 prescriptions daily were 68% less likely to have positive perceptions (AOR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.21–0.49; p=0.001), indicating lower motivation among those with lighter workloads.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrates that HCPs generally perceive e-prescriptions as highly useful, particularly for saving time and reducing errors. Notably, general practitioners and those with higher prescription volumes exhibit a stronger positive perception, likely due to their daily workflow.
For many years, physicians have primarily relied on handwritten prescriptions to convey medication therapy decisions to pharmacists. However, in the past decade, electronic prescribing has emerged as the latest technological advancement, gradually replacing traditional paper prescriptions. There is evidence that design and technical issues, interoperability, data relevance, user attitudes toward e-prescribing, productivity, and available resources are key factors influencing the implementation of e-prescribing for users.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit 423 study participants among health care professionals of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital. descriptive statistics were used to report frequencies and percentages. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine determinant factors for perceived usefulness towards electronic prescription.
RESULTS:
The study surveyed 423 individuals, with 364 completing the questionnaire (86.05% response rate). Of these, 275 (75.55%) were male, and 132 (36.26%) were aged 36–45, showing a mostly middle-aged, male workforce. A total of 283 (77.75%) felt comfortable using computers, and 247 (67.86%) used them for personal activities, indicating strong digital engagement. Significant factors linked to positive perceptions included general practitioners being 2.21 times more likely to have favorable views (AOR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.05–3.16; p=0.002) and those with 16–20 years of experience 1.42 times more likely (AOR=1.42; 95% CI: 1.19–2.88; p=0.001). Participants handling fewer than 10 prescriptions daily were 68% less likely to have positive perceptions (AOR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.21–0.49; p=0.001), indicating lower motivation among those with lighter workloads.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrates that HCPs generally perceive e-prescriptions as highly useful, particularly for saving time and reducing errors. Notably, general practitioners and those with higher prescription volumes exhibit a stronger positive perception, likely due to their daily workflow.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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