A literature review of the training offered to qualified prescribers to use electronic prescribing systems

Clare L. Brown, Katie Reygate, Ann Slee, Jamie Coleman, Sarah Pontefract, David W Bates, Anthony Husband, Neil Watson, Sarah Slight

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
56 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
A key element of the implementation and ongoing use of an electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) system is ensuring that users are, and remain, sufficiently trained to use the system. Studies have suggested that insufficient training is associated with suboptimal use. However, it is not clear from these studies how clinicians are trained to use ePrescribing systems or the effectiveness of different approaches. We sought to describe the various approaches used to train qualified prescribers on ePrescribing systems and to identify whether users were educated about the pitfalls and challenges of using these systems.
METHODS:
We performed a literature review, using a systematic approach across three large databases: Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase and Medline were searched for relevant English language articles. Articles that explored the training of qualified prescribers on ePrescribing systems in a hospital setting were included.
KEY FINDINGS:
Our search of 'all training' approaches returned 1155 publications, of which seven were included. A separate search of 'online' training found three relevant publications. Training methods in the 'all training' category included clinical scenarios, demonstrations and assessments. Regarding 'online' training approaches; a team at the University of Victoria in Canada developed a portal containing simulated versions of electronic health records, where individuals could prescribe for fictitious patients. Educating prescribers about the challenges and pitfalls of electronic systems was rarely discussed.
CONCLUSIONS:
A number of methods are used to train prescribers; however, the lack of papers retrieved suggests a need for additional studies to inform training methods
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Pharmacy Practice
Early online date4 Aug 2016
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 4 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Education
  • Electronic prescribing
  • Medical teaching

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