Using prescription dispensing data infographics to facilitate collaborative pharmacist-prescriber discussions on mutual patients.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To develop prescriber-specific infographics containing community pharmacy prescription dispensing data and share them with targeted prescribers to determine their utility in facilitating initial collaborative conversations regarding the care of mutual patients. METHODS: Prescription dispensing data from an independent community pharmacy in western Pennsylvania was collected to generate highly visual infographics for the most frequent prescribers to the pharmacy. Infographics were individualized for prescribers, and they included information on mutual patients between the pharmacy and the prescriber. Infographics were then shared with prescribers during semistructured, audio-recorded interviews. Interview questions elicited feedback on prescriber medication-related needs, quality and performance measures, infographic format and utility, and prescriber-pharmacist collaboration. Interviews were transcribed and coded by 2 independent investigators using qualitative analysis software. Coding discrepancies were resolved. A thematic analysis of the interview data was conducted. RESULTS: Eight interviews were conducted with prescribers. The following themes emerged (1) the infographic prompted prescribers to recognize potential collaborative opportunities with community pharmacists; (2) the infographic stimulated discussion on prescribing patterns and mutual patient populations; (3) prescribers value discussing the infographic data in a face-to-face meeting; (4) prescribers want to hear from pharmacists when mutual patients have medication-related problems; and (5) the infographic helped prescribers identify quality measures that they were not currently meeting. CONCLUSION: Infographics containing prescription dispensing data for mutual patients may be a useful tool when shared by community pharmacists to facilitate collaborative discussions with prescribers.