Tech-ing Up Pharmacy: Creating A Framework To Evaluate Health Information Communication Technology

• By: OGUNDIPE, Ayomide (Curtin University, Australia )
• Co-author(s): Ms Ayomide Ogundipe (Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia , Australia )
  Dr Tin Fei Sim
  Professor Lynne Emmerton
  
• Abstract:

  Introduction: Health information communication technology (ICT) has rapidly evolved in pharmacy practice worldwide, enabling safe and timely medication management. The Australian healthcare system is experiencing a paradigm shift to real-time interconnectivity for practitioners and consumers through use of interoperable technologies. With these developments comes a need to evaluate use of technologies specifically in pharmacy practice to optimise their clinical functionality. Validated frameworks for evaluating ICT needs of pharmacists will help ensure successful ICT implementation in pharmacy practice.
  Aims: This research aimed to develop a theoretical framework for evaluating health ICT needs and the application of health ICT in pharmacy.
  Method: A published systematic scoping review of health informatics and grey literature identified three models relating to ICT adoption that had not been applied to health ICT in contemporary pharmacy practice: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Information System Success (ISS) model and the Human Organisation Technology-fit (HOT-fit) model. These models were critically appraised and concept mapped, identifying common and unique domains relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice. A novel framework incorporating these domains was then designed, with face validity determined by the research team.
  Results: The proposed framework was named the Technology Evaluation Key (TEK). The TEK comprises 10 domains spanning the systems in which pharmacists practice, features of the health ICT, and desired outcomes from utilisation of the health ICT for patient care. The domains are: healthcare system, organisation, practitioner, user interface, ICT, use, operational outcomes, system outcomes, clinical outcomes and timely access to care.
  Conclusions: Despite the existence of ICT adoption frameworks for health consumers and professionals, this is the first developed for pharmacists as the users of technologies. The TEK represents a pragmatic way to promote the development, refinement and implementation of new and existing technologies in contemporary pharmacy practise to keep pace with the clinical and professional requirements of community pharmacists. Further research is recommended to validate the TEK using Design Science Research Methodology and specific health ICT platforms used by pharmacists.
  
  Note: This article is drawn from a peer-reviewed paper by the research team: Ogundipe A, Sim TF, Emmerton L. Development of an evaluation framework for health information communication technology in contemporary pharmacy practice. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy. 2023; 9: 100252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100252