Electronic Prescribing and medication conversations in hospital
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The EPMO Sudy - Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Optimisation in the hospital setting: What helps and hinders the patient conversation?
IRAS ID
327044
Contact name
Angela M Burgin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background:
The benefits of digital systems in healthcare are well established, but there can be unintended consequences for patient care. Before digitalisation in the hospital setting, medication-related tasks were often performed using the paper prescription chart kept at the bedside, allowing patients and staff opportunity to discuss medicines. Electronic Prescribing Systems (EPS) have changed staff behaviour by enabling medication-related tasks to be undertaken away from the bedside, reducing opportunities for patients to talk about medicines, with negative impacts on medication adherence and patient outcomes.
Medicines Optimisation is the recommended approach in healthcare policy where understanding medicines use from the patient’s perspective is central. It is considered fundamental to better use of medicines and reducing medication errors, and depends on healthcare professionals engaging patients/carers in discussions and decisions about treatment. Yet clinical practice and research shows EPS reduce contact between patients and their healthcare teams. Research is needed to understand the circumstances and behaviours that best support conversations between patients and their healthcare providers about medicines when using EPS in hospitals.Aims:
To determine the consequences of replacing end of bed medication charts on hospital wards with EPS, on communication between patients and the healthcare team about medicines? Why, for whom and in what contexts do these consequences occur?Methods and design:
WP1: A realist review of the literature, incorporating a behaviour change model, will develop a theory of what supports and constrains patient engagement as part of Medicines Optimisation in hospital, when using EPS.
WP2: To further refine the theory developed in WP1, a dual-site observational case study using ethnographic observations, document review and interviews will be undertaken on two different ward, in two hospitals.
WP3: The findings will be translated into actionable guidance that Trusts can use to inform their own best practice for Medicines Optimisation with EPS.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0259
Date of REC Opinion
27 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion