Relationships between computer use and pharmacists' professional behavior.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Informatics
• Medication Management

Background:

• The integration of computer systems into pharmacy practice is increasing.
• Understanding the impact of these technologies on pharmacists' professional activities is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery.
• Previous research has yielded varied conclusions regarding the benefits and drawbacks of pharmacy computerization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the use of pharmacy computer systems and the performance of specific professional activities among pharmacists.
• To compare the experiences of pharmacists using different computer systems and those not using computers.
• To determine if general conclusions can be drawn about the effect of computers on pharmacy practice.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among pharmacists in southern Michigan.
• Respondents included users of two major pharmacy computer systems and non-users.
• A net response rate of 65.7% (213 usable questionnaires) was achieved to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• Computer users reported encountering more drug-related problems and more frequent contacts with prescribers for drug-therapy issues compared to non-users.
• No significant differences were observed in patient counseling activities between users and non-users, except for a higher likelihood of auxiliary label use among computer users.
• Analysis of the two computer systems indicated that one system positively influenced certain professional activities, while the other had minimal impact.

Conclusions:

• The impact of pharmacy computer systems on professional activities is not uniform and appears to be system-dependent.
• Generalizing the effects of computerization on the professional practice of pharmacy may not be feasible.
• Further research is needed to understand the nuanced effects of specific pharmacy information systems on pharmacist performance and patient care.