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Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
Implementing an online pharmaceutical service using design science research
Luís Velez Lapão1, Miguel Mira da Silva2, João Gregório3
1Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), WHO Collaborating Center for Health Workforce Policy and Planning, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, n° 100, Lisboa, 1349-008, Portugal. luis.lapao@ihmt.unl.pt.
This study introduces ePharmacare, an online pharmaceutical service designed to manage chronic diseases. Findings reveal patient demand for online pharmacy services, but pharmacist adoption is hindered by time constraints and a lack of information system skills.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Pharmaceutical Services
- Digital Health
Background:
- Rising chronic disease prevalence necessitates health system reforms.
- Primary healthcare and multidisciplinary models are proposed solutions.
- eHealth and online pharmaceutical services offer potential improvements but face adoption challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present ePharmacare, a novel online pharmaceutical service.
- To implement the service using Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM).
- To investigate the adoption of online pharmaceutical services by pharmacists and patients.
Main Methods:
- Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) guided the project.
- Requirements were gathered through surveys, observations, focus groups, and eye-tracking.
- The ePharmacare service was demonstrated and evaluated with real users.
Main Results:
- DSRM effectively contributed to implementing online pharmacy services.
- Pharmacists dedicate only 50% of their time to patient interaction, indicating service potential.
- Patients value continuity of care and desire online pharmacy interaction channels.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully proposed, designed, developed, and evaluated an online pharmaceutical service using DSRM.
- Key barriers to pharmacist adoption include time constraints, time management, IT skills, and role definition.
- Future work should focus on training and service reorganization to address adoption barriers.
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