title: An evaluation of e-prescribing at a national level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the article is to describe the process of implementing the Estonian national second generation electronic prescription service (e-prescription) and determine if the objectives set by the Estonian government were fulfilled.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study presents an analysis of both retrospective and current data in the evaluation phase of a design research project. Sources include, among others, publicly available documents and previous evaluation studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to all of the major stakeholders, the Estonian e-prescription service has very high usability and user satisfaction scores have been high. There is only little empirical evidence available to confirm if the benefits aimed for in the creation of the service were achieved. From a public administration viewpoint, the implementation of e-prescription has led to potential efficiency gains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Estonian second-generation e-prescription system is widely used by citizens, healthcare providers and administrators alike. However, there are gaps in measuring the impact of the service, especially with respect to time savings and enhanced healthcare quality. Additional functionalities will be key drivers in creating benefits for all stakeholders. Future nationwide e-health services should have a more rigorous evaluation process carried out during the design and implementation stages.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Technomedicum , Tallinn University of Technology , Tallinn , Estonia .
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parv
authors.affiliation: b Praxis Centre for Policy Studies , Tallinn , Estonia , and.
authors.forename: Priit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kruus
authors.affiliation: c Estonian Health Insurance Fund , Tallinn , Estonia.
authors.forename: Kaie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mõtte
authors.affiliation: a Department of Technomedicum , Tallinn University of Technology , Tallinn , Estonia .
authors.forename: Peeter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D055695:Electronic Prescribing / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D004957:Estonia; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Electronic prescription; health information exchange; impact assessment