Improving patient care: communication channel between health centres and community pharmacies through the electronic...

Introduction:Navarra´s healthcare model is based on coordination between healthcare levels and the integration of diverse healthcare professionals across them. The objectives of this study were describe the design, implementation, and evaluation a communication channel between Primary Care (PC) teams and Community Pharmacies (CP) within each Basic Health Zone in Navarra, integrated into the electronic prescription system. Materials and Methods: A channel was designed to enable interaction between CP and PC professionals through the electronic prescription. A procedure was developed, outlining responsibilities, notification protocols and the distinction between urgent and non-urgent incidents. For the evaluation, a satisfaction survey was distributed to all participants. Results: The system was progressively expanded since 2021, reaching 95% of PC teams and 100% of CPs in 2024. Satisfaction surveys revealed a high appraisal of the channel, particularly among CPs, highlighting its utility, improvements in work organization and optimization of resolution times. Conclusion: The implementation of an appropriate communication channel between PC teams and CPs is essential for enhancing patient care. This channel has improved the quality of interprofessional collaboration, acting as a catalyst for alignment and trust between HC and CP professionals.