Older Adults' Perceptions of E-Prescribing: Impact on Patient Care

To describe older adult patients' perceptions and experiences with e-prescribing; and to explore the impact of e-prescribing on patient care, including patient-provider communication.

Seventy-five participants' aged 50 and older and living within one hour of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, completed a telephone survey that included items regarding basic demographics, general medication-taking behavior, and experiences with e-prescribing.

A majority of participants expected e-prescriptions (84 percent) and preferred e-prescriptions to paper prescriptions (81 percent). Of the 57 participants whose doctors sent their prescriptions electronically, 93 percent reported being very satisfied with their doctor and 84 percent reported being very satisfied with their pharmacist in dealing with e-prescribed medications. Participants who received e-prescriptions reported more communication regarding medication-related topics with their doctor.

E-prescribing is generally preferred to paper prescribing, and participants who use e-prescribing are satisfied with the e-prescribing process. E-prescribing may influence patient medication-taking behaviors through increased convenience, increased patient-provider communication, and the perception of improved care compared to traditional paper prescribing.