Towards electronic transfer of prescriptions (ETP) in the United Kingdom National Health Service - stakeholder evaluation of ETP solutions

Chadwick, D; Whatley, JE; Sobreperez, P

Abstract

The UK government has stated as part of its national plan of reform for the NHS that a system for the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP) will be operational by 2004. Various systems for ETP have been developed and these are briefly outlined in the first part of this paper. We then review ways in which these systems can be qualitatively evaluated, and finally present the results from one such evaluation. Many methods exist for obtaining qualitative evaluative material. However, one must ensure the choice of evaluation mechanism will satisfy both the goals of the research and the resources available. The goal of the current evaluation sessions was to obtain stakeholder attitudes towards the various ETP systems presented and ETP in general. Our evaluation process consisted of seminar and focus group sessions combining education with evaluation. The reasons for the choice of focus groups over other evaluation mechanisms are detailed within the paper. We present an analysis of the substantive issues contained within the data. This analysis and interpretation process took place using the methodological approach of analytic induction. This resulted in the development of twenty-three hypotheses about stakeholders' views towards the various ETP systems and the transition from paper practices to ETP. Whilst the hypotheses make valuable reading for those concerned with the choice of ETP system and the transition process, they also have wider implications for the transition of any institutionalised paper based system to an electronic system.

Citation

Chadwick, D., Whatley, J., & Sobreperez, P. (2003, September). Towards electronic transfer of prescriptions (ETP) in the United Kingdom National Health Service - stakeholder evaluation of ETP solutions. Presented at 3rd International Conference on the Management of Healthcare and Medical Technology, Warwick

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 3rd International Conference on the Management of Healthcare and Medical Technology
• Conference Location: Warwick
• Start Date: Sep 1, 2003
• Deposit Date: Sep 16, 2009
• Book Title: 3rd International Conference on The Management of Healthcare and Medical Technology
• Keywords: Information technology, IT, ETP, prescriptions, NHS, medical technology
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference