Attitudes toward Web application supporting pharmacist-clinician comanagement of postexposure prophylaxis patients

To qualitatively explore clinician and pharmacist attitudes toward using a Web application virtual pharmacist-clinician partnership (VPCP) to assist with comanaged care of illicit drug-using patients prescribed postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Qualitative, descriptive, nonexperimental study.

New York City (NYC) from February 2011 to March 2012.

Four pharmacists and nine clinicians.

In-depth interviews.

Potential impact of the VPCP on pharmacist-clinician communication and potential barriers to use of the VPCP when comanaging PEP patients among pharmacists and clinicians.

Pharmacists and clinicians were supportive of an interactive Web application that would expand the role of pharmacists to include assistance with PEP access and patient management. Participants noted that the VPCP would facilitate communication between pharmacists and clinicians and have potential to support adherence among patients. Pharmacists and clinicians were concerned about not having time to use the VPCP and security of patient information on the site. Pharmacist and clinician concerns informed final development of the VPCP, including creation of a user-friendly interface, linkage to users' e-mail accounts for timeline notification, and attention to security.

Use of Web-based technology to support communication between pharmacists and clinicians was seen as being a potentially feasible method for improving patient care, particularly in the delivery of PEP to drug users and other high-risk groups. These findings highlight the need for further study of a technology-supported partnership, particularly for comanagement of patients who face challenges with adherence.