Professional competence and Perception on the Practical Implementation of Telepharmacy among Pharmacists – A Review

Abstract

The concept of "telepharmacy" predominantly refers to a modality of pharmaceutical service that leverages the capabilities of information and communication technologies. This innovative approach is instrumental in delivering superior pharmaceutical services to the general populace, with the execution being carried out by professional pharmacists. Consequently, this literature review aims to evaluate the competencies and perceptions of professional pharmacists regarding the adoption of telepharmacy. For this review, a comprehensive search was conducted across three databases: PubMed, Science Direct, and SAGE Journals. The search strategy involved the utilization of keywords such as "telepharmacy," "competency," "perception," and "pharmacist." The selection of journal articles was based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on works published within the preceding three years, from 2020 to 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed articles from English-language research journals accessible in full text and discussed the utilization of telepharmacy by pharmacists, published within the stated timeframe. Conversely, exclusion criteria ruled out articles that did not disclose the research methodology employed and those that were not original studies or research. The findings from this review have substantiated that competencies related to pharmaceutical services, including the management of acute illnesses and the provision of information, play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of telepharmacy. The review also revealed a diversity of opinions among professional pharmacists towards telepharmacy, with some expressing openness towards it, while others exhibited reservations. In light of these findings, it is recommended that pharmacists be motivated to embrace technology and receive appropriate training to acquire essential skills, such as managing telepharmacy operations. Moreover, the development of telepharmacy necessitates establishing a meticulously designed system to support the effective implementation of this emergent technology.