Adoption of and experience with e-prescribing by primary care physicians.
BACKGROUND
The impetus of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is the reduction of preventable medication errors by generating a legible prescription checked via e-prescribing software for drug-drug and other interactions. Although the adoption of e-prescribing among physicians is growing, the Institute of Medicine's recommendations that all prescriptions be routed electronically by 2010 certainly has not been met.


OBJECTIVE
To provide an update on e-prescribing use among primary care physicians (PCPs), describe their experience with e-prescribing, and provide insight into prescribers' decisions to implement e-prescribing in their practices.


METHODS
An Internet-based survey was administered to a national convenience sample of physicians. The respondents were categorized into e-prescribers or non-e-prescribers. Data to describe demographic characteristics, respondents' experiences with e-prescribing, and respondents' decision to implement e-prescribing were collected. Nonparametric tests were used to test differences in the factors influencing e-prescribers' and traditional prescribers' decisions about electronic prescription implementation.


RESULTS
Four hundred forty-three PCPs participated in the study. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics of e-prescribers and non-e-prescribers. Most e-prescribers (83%) reported satisfaction with their e-prescribing system and a preference for e-prescribing over traditional prescribing. Although 22% of respondents indicated that they have started and stopped e-prescribing, most have resumed or intended to resume e-prescribing in the near future. More than half of the respondents reported that they are experiencing problems with their e-prescribing software.


CONCLUSIONS
E-prescribing appears to be present in many types of primary care practices and geographic areas of the country. Despite their satisfaction with and preference for e-prescribing, PCPs still appear to be experiencing problems with e-prescribing software. Implications of these study results for the pharmacy profession are discussed.
Department of Pharmacy Administration, The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Faser Hall, Room 223, PO Box 1848, University, MS 38677, USA. kjariwal@olemiss.edu
Krutika S
KS
Jariwala
Erin R
ER
Holmes
Benjamin F
BF
Banahan
David J
DJ
McCaffrey
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055695:Electronic Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012984:Software; D014481:United States