Designing a computerized decision support system for asthma chronic disease management in community pharmacies

Area of Science:

• * Health Informatics
• * Pharmacy Practice
• * Clinical Decision Support Systems

Background:

• * Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is a validated, clinic-based computerized clinical decision support system (CDSS).
• * Previous development focused on clinical settings, necessitating adaptation for community pharmacy practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To adapt and optimize the eAMS for implementation in community pharmacy settings.
• * To enhance the system's usability, content, and workflow for pharmacy end-users.

Main Methods:

• * Iterative development of the eAMS-Pharm prototype with expert and end-user input.
• * Rapid-cycle development using virtual focus groups and sequential testing.
• * Optimization based on user feedback regarding design, content, and workflow.

Main Results:

• * Six focus group cycles with 28 participants (83% pharmacists) led to system improvements.
• * Optimized eAMS-Pharm includes a pharmacy portal, patient dashboard, questionnaires, interactive CDSS, automated documentation, and prescriber communications.
• * Achieved a high System Usability Scale score (82.9 ± 16.8) and favorable user ratings.

Conclusions:

• * A chronic disease CDSS (eAMS-Pharm) was successfully built and optimized for community pharmacies.
• * The system addresses pharmacy-specific implementation barriers and demonstrates high usability and perceived benefits.
• * Future evaluation for real-world uptake and impact is warranted; findings can inform future pharmacy CDSS design.