Evaluating physicians' perspective on the efficiency and effectiveness of the electronic prescribing system

Abstract

Background The implementation of the electronic prescribing system follows certain objectives and the users' perspectives can contribute to understanding the efficiency and effectiveness of this system. The aim of this study was to evaluate physicians' perspective on the efficiency and effectiveness of the electronic prescribing system.Methods This study was conducted on all physicians using the electronic prescribing system in clinics and hospitals affiliated with the treatment deputy of the Social Security Organization in Sistan and Baluchistan province in Iran. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a reliability of α=94% that was developed and validated for this study.Results The mean and standard deviation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the electronic prescribing system were 3.68±0.67 and 3.84±0.65, respectively. Patient safety had the highest mean score among all the dimensions (4.0±0.64). Most participants (n=55, 79%) considered the efficiency and effectiveness of this system high. More than 90% of the physicians (n=63) believed that the electronic prescribing system enables a better medication prescription by providing alerts and access to patients’ medication history.Conclusion The findings showed that most physicians believed that the electronic prescribing system of Iran's SSO has high efficiency and effectiveness. In particular, using this system improves patient safety and reduces costs.