Benefits and challenges of electronic prescribing for general practitioners and pharmacists in regional Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the benefits and challenges of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) for general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists in regional New South Wales (NSW). METHODS: This qualitative study utilised semistructured interviews conducted virtually or in-person between July and September 2021. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: General practitioners and pharmacists practising in Bathurst NSW. MAIN OUTCOMES: Self-reported perceived and experienced benefits and challenges of e-prescribing. RESULTS: Two GPs and four pharmacists participated in the study. Reported benefits of e-prescribing included improvement in the prescribing and dispensing process, patient adherence, and prescription safety and security. The increased convenience for the patients was appreciated particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges discussed were how the system was perceived to be unsafe and insecure, costs of messaging and updating general practice software, utilisation of new systems and patient awareness. Pharmacists reported the need for education to patients and staff to minimise the impact of inexperience with the novel technology on workflow efficacy. CONCLUSION: This study provided first insight and information on the perspectives of GPs and pharmacists 12 months after the implementation of e-prescribing. Further nationwide studies are required to consolidate these findings; provide comparisons with the system's progress since conception; determine whether metropolitan and rural health care professionals share similar perspectives; and shed light on where additional government support may be required.

Meeting radiation therapy patients informational needs through educational videos augmented by 3D visualisation software.

INTRODUCTION: Misconceptions and uncertainties about radiotherapy compound the anxiety patients experience at the commencement of treatment. This project investigated the utility of locally produced treatment process videos in meeting patients' informational needs. METHODS: In-house video production was conducted on a voluntary basis by staff and patients at a regional Australian radiotherapy centre. Videos included real footage and animated sections created with PEARLTM 3D visualisation software (Vertual Ltd, UK) to meet specific key content objectives. Quantitative cross sectional analysis was conducted. Patients attending for simulation watched a relevant video. After their first fraction of radiotherapy they were asked to complete an ethics-reviewed questionnaire about how well the video addressed their information needs. RESULTS: The survey completion rate was 29% (n = 61/212). Surveys were collected over 9 months from August 2014 to April 2015. Statistical analysis found 98% of patients reported that the video was useful in meeting one or more of the learning objectives. Forty-nine percent of patients also reported a reduction in fear and anxiety as a result of watching the video. Patients reported subsequent review of videos at home (39%), primarily to explain treatment processes to loved ones (46%). CONCLUSION: The combination of real footage and 3D visualisation software assisted in meeting learning objectives regarding the treatment process. Standardised videos provided consistency of information provision to patients and facilitated multiple viewings of the video if desired.