title: A literature review of the training offered to qualified prescribers to use electronic prescribing systems: why is it so important?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A key element of the implementation and ongoing use of an electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) system is ensuring that users are, and remain, sufficiently trained to use the system. Studies have suggested that insufficient training is associated with suboptimal use. However, it is not clear from these studies how clinicians are trained to use ePrescribing systems or the effectiveness of different approaches. We sought to describe the various approaches used to train qualified prescribers on ePrescribing systems and to identify whether users were educated about the pitfalls and challenges of using these systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a literature review, using a systematic approach across three large databases: Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase and Medline were searched for relevant English language articles. Articles that explored the training of qualified prescribers on ePrescribing systems in a hospital setting were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our search of 'all training' approaches returned 1155 publications, of which seven were included. A separate search of 'online' training found three relevant publications. Training methods in the 'all training' category included clinical scenarios, demonstrations and assessments. Regarding 'online' training approaches; a team at the University of Victoria in Canada developed a portal containing simulated versions of electronic health records, where individuals could prescribe for fictitious patients. Educating prescribers about the challenges and pitfalls of electronic systems was rarely discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A number of methods are used to train prescribers; however, the lack of papers retrieved suggests a need for additional studies to inform training methods.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton on Tees, UK.|Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Clare L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Health Education KSS Pharmacy, Princess Royal Hospital, West Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reygate
authors.affiliation: eHealth Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.|College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slee
authors.affiliation: College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Jamie J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.affiliation: College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pontefract
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, The Center for Patient Safety Research and Practice, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.|Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.|Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton on Tees, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Husband
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton on Tees, UK.|Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.|Division of General Internal Medicine, The Center for Patient Safety Research and Practice, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Slight
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement; D055695:Electronic Prescribing; D006801:Humans; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care; D055656:Prescriptions; D011320:Primary Health Care
keywords: education; educational measurement; electronic prescribing; medical; teaching