A literature review of the training offered to qualified prescribers to use electronic prescribing systems: why is it so important?

Abstract

Objectives 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. Key findings 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.

Impact of an inpatient electronic prescribing system on prescribing error causation: a qualitative evaluation in an English hospital

“…Future educational strategies should specifically consider how to best prepare prescribers to use EP 52. The present study also suggests the importance of raising awareness of EP’s limitations and the risks of over-reliance, and addressing new learning needs precipitated by EP such as selecting syringe driver diluents.…”

An Education Framework for Effective Implementation of a Health Information System: Scoping Review (Preprint)

“…Many papers stressed the importance of providing learners with significant amounts of time to engage in hands-on activities [4]. Interaction with the HIS was a key priority among all participants across several studies [4,6,17,25]. Participants were provided with an overview of the key features of the system, using a combination of lectures and practical exercises, thus enabling the learners to gain hands-on experience using the new system [25].…”

“…Interaction with the HIS was a key priority among all participants across several studies [4,6,17,25]. Participants were provided with an overview of the key features of the system, using a combination of lectures and practical exercises, thus enabling the learners to gain hands-on experience using the new system [25]. In addition, hands-on activities enabled health care providers to gain more practice and become familiar with the system and have an opportunity to ask questions [6].…”

“…In addition, several studies have found that educational programs that incorporate real case scenarios, with an emphasis on clinical workflow enhance outcomes [25,26]. Interactive scenarios presented with a mini case study highlighted the importance of new HIS elements, enabling the care providers to better understand the new updates involved with the HIS and the manner in which they needed to document [22]:…”

The Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship on the Patterns of Antibiotics’ Prescription and Clinical Outcomes in the Medical Ward of a Malaysian Tertiary Care Hospital

“…The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Infectious diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines describe an infectious diseases (ID) physician, a clinical pharmacist and a microbiologist being the key members for the AMS team of a hospital [15]. In order to perform evidence-based research to estimate the impact of AMS interventions on certain clinical outcomes, the use of the computerized database of a clinical setting is a much innovative tool to conduct such research in this era of big data rather than the tedious practice of manual screening of the prescription orders [16].…”