Logistics or patient care: which features do independent Finnish pharmacy owners prioritize in a strategic plan for future information technology systems?
OBJECTIVE
To determine Finnish community pharmacy owners' requirements for the next generation of software systems.


METHODS
Descriptive, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Finland during December 2006.


METHODS
308 independent pharmacy owners.


METHODS
Survey listing 126 features that could potentially be included in the new information technology (IT) system. The list was grouped into five categories: (1) drug information and patient counseling, (2) medication safety, (3) interprofessional collaboration, (4) pharmacy services, and (5) pharmacy internal processes.


METHODS
Perceived value of potential features for a new IT system.


RESULTS
The survey was mailed to all independent pharmacy owners in Finland (n = 580; response rate 53% [n = 308]). Respondents gave priority to logistical functions and functions related to drug information and patient care. The highest rated individual features were tracking product expiry (rated as very or quite important by 100% of respondents), computerized drug-drug interaction screening (99%), an electronic version of the national pharmaceutical reference book (97%), and a checklist-type drug information database to assist patient counseling (95%).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the high ranking for logistical features, Finnish pharmacy owners put a priority on support for cognitive pharmaceutical services in the next IT system. Although the importance of logistical functions is understandable, the owners demonstrated a commitment to strategic health policy goals when planning their business IT system.
Westerling
Anna M
AM
Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland. anna.westerling@salnet.fi
Haikala
Veikko E
VE
Bell
J Simon
JS
Airaksinen
Marja S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004346:Drug Information Services; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008331:Management Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires