Perception of Healthcare Professionals towards Electronic-Prescribing at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Electronic-prescribing (e-prescribing) is the most recent technological advancement in the medication use process. Its adoption and consequent realization of its potential benefits, however, mainly depend on the healthcare professionals’ perception, willingness to accept, and engagement with the technology. Objectives. This study is aimed at assessing the perception of healthcare professionals towards e-prescribing at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from June 1 to August 30, 2021. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a simple random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered into and analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS® (IBM Corporation)) version 24. Both descriptive and inferential statistics like the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for data analysis. A statistical significance was declared at a $p$ value < 0.05. Result. From 401 participants, the majority of study participants had a neutral perception of e-prescribing. More than two-thirds (68.8%) of them had a neutral perception towards the perceived usefulness of e-prescribing with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) perceived usefulness of 43.0 (7.0) (maximum $\text{score}=60$). The perceived ease of use of e-prescribing was also neutral in the case of more than three-fourths (79.8%) of participants with a median (IQR) perceived ease of use of 49.0 (6) (maximum $\text{score}=75$). Similarly, more than half (56.6%) of the participants had a neutral perception towards the perceived fitness of e-prescribing with a median (IQR) perceived fitness of 15.0 (2.5) (maximum $\text{score}=15$). The perception of the participants showed a significant difference based on their qualifications and work and computer use experience. Participants who heard about e-prescribing and e-prescribing software had a significantly higher mean rank score of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived fitness of e-prescribing. Participants who previously used e-prescribing had also a significantly higher mean rank score of perceived usefulness. Conclusion and Recommendation. The majority of healthcare professionals had a neutral perception of e-prescribing. The perception of healthcare professionals differs based on their qualifications, work and computer use experience, and their exposure to e-prescribing. The hospital should take all expectations and concerns of all HCPs into consideration and provide experience-sharing opportunities for all healthcare professionals who may potentially be involved in e-prescribing.