title: Assessment of a computerised decision support system for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis counselling in German pharmacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a prospective two-phase intervention study we evaluated a newly developed computerised pharmacy decision support system (PDSS) for the counselling of patients with allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community pharmacists were invited to counsel a virtual patient in a first interview. Immediately thereafter, we trained pharmacists to operate the PDSS, which they applied in a second patient interview immediately following the training. We assessed the completeness of mandatory questions asked as defined by national guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participating pharmacists (n = 50, 78% female, mean age 34 [IQR: 27-40] years, 8 [2-14.5] years of practical experience, 32% specialised in community pharmacy) asked considerably more mandatory questions to confirm appropriateness of self-medication with 7 (5.25-9; 78%) from 9 questions compared to 2 (1-3; 22%) without PDSS (median; P < 0.001). In particular, using the PDSS more than doubled mandatory questions (9/12, 6.25-10; 75% vs. 4/12, 3-5; 33%; P < 0.001) relevant for appropriate drug selection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists omitted many questions mandatory to assess whether self-medication is appropriate. Using the newly developed PDSS more than doubled the number of mandatory questions asked. The results suggest that the PDSS is ready for evaluation of its impact in real patients.
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. klinische.pharmazie@uni-leipzig.de
authors: Thilo
authors: T
authors: Bertsche
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Nachbar
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Fiederling
authors: Simon P W
authors: SP
authors: Schmitt
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Kaltschmidt
authors: Hanna M
authors: HM
authors: Seidling
authors: Walter E
authors: WE
authors: Haefeli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003625:Data Collection; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods