Improving Communication between Healthcare Professionals and Their Patients through a Prescription Tracking System

Abstract

With the proliferation of technology it is important the healthcare industry advance to adapt to market competition. With recent electronic prescription service becoming up and running it demonstrates how the use of technology can improve efficiency of work. Utilising this technology we can see first-hand how it helps facilitate the doctor-patient relationship. The use of a computer system also has audit benefits as well as error prevention when dispensing medication. Currently the majority of patients are prescribed medication on a monthly basis. The prescriptions are normally re-ordered on a monthly basis with doctor's approval. However there are a significant percentage of patients who lose track of re-ordering and sometimes run short of medication. The use of technology is beneficial to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Technology aids maintenance of patient records as well as companies now adapting and using them to improve customer satisfaction and patient care. Pharmacists now have the ability to check patient's prescription history and dispense a new prescription in a matter of seconds. Creating additional time in the pharmacy environment is crucial, this allows pharmacists and healthcare professionals to have more time communicating with patients providing essential healthcare advice. This paper proposes the development of a new system based on using an information/database management system. The proposed system will be user friendly targeting all audiences. Usability and accessibility will be of a high importance, due to targeting users of a wide background of health conditions and IT experience.