Title: E-prescribing: attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists in Puerto Rico

Authors: Kevin A. Clauson, Fadi M. Alkhateeb, Karen D. Lugo, Nile M. Khanfar

Addresses: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, 3200 S. University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA. ' Department of Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences, University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, 2300 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston, WV 25304, USA. ' FMC Drug Distributors, 33 Avenue E, Ponce, 00730, Puerto Rico. ' Department of Sociobehavioral and Administrative Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, 3970 RCA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, USA

Abstract: E-prescribing may help reduce medical errors. Study objectives were to determine use, perceptions, and a model of adoption regarding e-prescribing. A questionnaire was developed and sent to pharmacists in Puerto Rico. Multiple regression analyses were used to test a model of influences on adoption. 438 pharmacists responded. The overall adoption model was significant. Perceived advantages had a positive influence on adoption. Pharmacist groups demonstrating higher adoption included: male > female, chain > independent, younger > older (all p < 0.05). Barriers had a negative influence (p = 0.01). The model employed here can help explain pharmacist adoption and integration of e-prescribing.

Keywords: innovation diffusion; perceptions; technology adoption; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare; e-prescribing; informatics; pharmacies; Puerto Rico; Rogers model; healthcare technology; electronic prescriptions; online prescibing; pharmacists.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2011.039057

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2011 Vol.6 No.1, pp.34 - 46

Published online: 14 Mar 2011 *

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