Satisfaction predictors and attitudes towards electronic prescribing systems in three UK hospitals.
OBJECTIVE
Measuring satisfaction of technology users, along with satisfaction determinants, is important to enhance system utilisation and identify potential problems. The aim of this study was to investigate pharmacists' and doctors' attitudes towards e-prescribing systems, and assess the predictors of their satisfaction.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted, with 67 pharmacists and 335 doctors in three English hospitals completing a pre-piloted, postal questionnaire.


RESULTS
The majority of pharmacists and doctors agreed that their e-prescribing system improved the efficiency of prescribing, and reduced dosage regimen errors. However, the majority did not believe that the system created more time for near-patient clinical activities, or sped up patient discharge. More pharmacists than doctors believed that the system improved the quality of patient care. Doctors were more likely to perceive that the e-prescribing system reduced formulation and omission errors. Doctors and pharmacists from the same hospital had similar opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of the e-prescribing system. Nine variables (out of 29 potential independent variables), seven of which were related to e-prescribing system efficiency, were significant predictors of user satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, respondents were satisfied with the systems; however, pharmacists were generally more satisfied than doctors. The number of satisfaction predictors related to the feelings about e-prescribing system efficiency was larger than those predictors related to the quality of patient care.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings contribute to better understanding of how pharmacists and doctors perceive e-prescribing systems, and also have implications for system development, training, and how an e-prescribing system can be most effectively 'marketed' to different user groups.
Abdel-Qader
Derar H
DH
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK. dbalawi@hotmail.com
Cantrill
Judith A
JA
Tully
Mary P
MP
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055695:Electronic Prescribing; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D050316:Medical Order Entry Systems; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom